Background
Kearns, Merle Grace was born on May 19, 1938 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Robert John and Mary Katharine (Fitzgerald) Grace.
Kearns, Merle Grace was born on May 19, 1938 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Robert John and Mary Katharine (Fitzgerald) Grace.
Bachelor of Science, Ohio State University, 1960.
Teacher Saint Raphael Elementary School, Springfield, Ohio, 1960-1962. Substitute teacher Mad River Green district, Springfield, 1972-1978. Instructor Clark Technology College, Springfield, 1978-1980.
Commissioner Clark County, Ohio, 1981-1991.
Member Ohio Senate, Columbus, 1991, mem Senate human services and aging committee, Senate education committee, Senate health committee, majority whip of Senate. Member finance and institutions committee.
Company-chair Supreme Court domestic violence committee. Member Joint Committee Agency Rule Review.
President of the board county commissioner,1982, 83, 86, 87, 90, vice president, 1985, 88, 89.
Board of directors Springfield Symphony, 1980-1986, Arts Council, 1980-1985, County Commissioners Association of Ohio, secretary, 1988, Second vice president, 1989-1990, 1st vice president, 1990. Member Executive Committee Springfield Republicans, since 1984. Board president Ohio Children"s Trust Fund, 1995-1998.
Ohio State University, scholar, 1957-1959.
Named Woman of Year Springfield Pilot Club, 1981, Wittenberg Woman of Accomplishment, 1991, Watchdog of Treasury, 1991, 96, Legislator of the Year Association of Mental Health and Drug Addiction Superior vena cava syndrome Bds., 1996, Legislation Company-Person of the Year Association.Joint Vocational School Superintendent, 1996, Ohio Cmty. Colleges Legislation of Year, 1997.
Recipient Public Policy Leadership award, 1997.
Secretary County Commissioners Association Ohio, 1988, Second vice president, 1989—1990, 1st vice president, 1990. Member executive committee Springfield Representatives, 1984—2001. Chair Ohio Children's Trust Fund, 1995—2000.
Past chair Legislation Office of Education Oversight. Active NCSL Welfare Reform Task Force, 2001—2005. Vice-chair Policy Consensus Initiative Board, since 2002.
Chair Head Start Plus Study Council. Honorary chair Srs. 4 Kids, Ohio, 2007. Senate president public position Ohio Commission on Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution, 2007.
Board directors Springfield Symphony, 1980—1986, Arts Council, 1980—1985. Board directors, member executive board National Conference State Legislatures, 2000—2003. Member of League of Women Voters (board directors 1964-1978, president 1975-1978), Ohio Nurses Association (Legislator of the Year 1995, 1999), Rotary, Omicron Nu.
Married Thomas Raymond Kearns, June 27, 1959. Children: Thomas, Michael, Timothy, Matthew.