Award recognizes commitment to helping low-income Ohioans access justice
Special to The Truth
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is pleased to recognize Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) as the 2026 recipient of the Voice of Justice Award.
The Foundation created the Voice of Justice Award in 2015 to recognize a person or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of low-income Ohioans who may need legal assistance to live stable, healthy, and financially secure lives.
Throughout her career, Sen. Hicks-Hudson has consistently demonstrated a commitment to empowering Ohioans and improving their quality of life. As a Reginald Heber Smith Fellow, Sen. Hicks-Hudson began her career at Toledo Legal Aid Society, representing senior citizens and working with several community groups as a community organizer. She has focused much of her career on addressing the challenges that people, especially young people, face with the legal system.
Sen. Hicks-Hudson is trained in mediation and advocates for neglected and underrepresented youth as a Court Appointed Special Advocate-Guardian ad Litem. Recently, she championed legislation to modernize and improve Ohio’s domestic relations law. Senate Bill 174 will recenter domestic relations law on the best interests of the child and encourage parents to cooperate in shared parenting that benefits their children.
“Senator Hicks-Hudson’s career as a legal aid attorney, family law practitioner, law professor, Guardian ad Litem, and public servant has had an immeasurable impact on access to justice in Ohio,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Angie Lloyd. “The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is proud to recognize her contributions with the 2026 Voice of Justice Award.”
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation ensures that Ohioans who are low-income or who lack access can fully and fairly participate in civil systems that produce just outcomes. Established in 1994, the Foundation funds Ohio’s legal aids and other access to justice initiatives through the IOLTA/IOTA program, a civil filing fee surcharge, and donations. Through the Foundation’s work, Ohioans have access to legal help, information, and representation, which ensures fairness for all in the justice system.