Dear Ohio Citizen Action Members,

After 40 wonderful years serving this organization that I deeply love, I'm writing to share that I'll be retiring from Ohio Citizen Action. As I reflect on my career, I wanted to share some thoughts with all of you who make our work possible.

My activism began in childhood—organizing a "pants protest" in elementary school so girls could stay warm during Detroit winters. That early victory taught me an invaluable lesson: when we organize, we can fight back and win.

This belief led me through college, where I studied Environmental Studies and Communication, and eventually to a small citizens group in Buffalo where we helped pass New York's bottle bill. It was there I discovered canvassing—being paid to go door-to-door as an activist—and met my future husband, Michael.

When we moved to Cleveland in 1985, I joined OCA's staff and eventually became part of the Finance Department. Through the years, I've watched our organization grow from six offices to seven, down to two, and now to four across Ohio. We're once again in a period of growth and positive change, thanks to the visionary leadership of our CEO, Rachael Belz.

Working at OCA has been more than a job—it's been a calling

I've witnessed the tangible difference we've made in Ohioans' lives through our issue campaigns, ballot initiatives, and accountability work. I can't count how many times I heard "thank you for doing this work" from people at their doorsteps. Now, it's my turn to say the same to all of you.

We're living in a critical, historical moment. Much of the progress we've fought for is being threatened. But I have faith in Ohio Citizen Action and in all of you to continue this vital work.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone I've worked with. I feel truly blessed to have made lifelong friends and to have built a career aligned with my values.

Thank you for your commitment to Ohio Citizen Action. Carry on this important work, for our future.

If you're inspired to support OCA's continued work, please consider making a donation today. Together, we can ensure that Ohio Citizen Action remains strong for generations to come.

Lynn Scheerhorn, Ohio Citizen Action

P.S. Please visit this link to learn more about helping us celebrate our 50th anniversary.