Rhine McLin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhine McLin
McLin in 2008
54th Mayor of Dayton
In office January 4, 2002 – January 4, 2010
Preceded by	Mike Turner
Succeeded by	Gary Leitzell
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 5th district
In office January 3, 1995 – December 5, 2001
Preceded by	Neal Zimmers
Succeeded by	Tom Roberts
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 38th district
In office January 3, 1989 – December 31, 1994
Preceded by	C.J. McLin
Succeeded by	Lloyd Lewis Jr.
Personal details
Born	1948 (age 76–77)
Political party	Democratic
Relations	C. J. McLin (father)
Education	Parsons College (BA) Xavier University (MEd) Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (AS)

Rhine Lana McLin was born in October 1948. She is an American politician from Ohio who belongs to the Democratic Party. She served as the 54th mayor of Dayton, Ohio, from 2002 to 2010. Before becoming mayor, McLin was a member of both parts of the Ohio General Assembly, which is Ohio's state legislature.

Rhine McLin's Education Journey

Rhine McLin studied many interesting subjects in college. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), from Parsons College. In this program, she focused on sociology, which is the study of how people live in groups, and secondary education, which prepares you to teach in high school.

Later, she went to Xavier University and earned a Master of Education (MEd). This advanced degree helped her become a guidance counselor, someone who helps students with their school and career choices. She also has an associate's degree (AS) in mortuary science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. This field involves preparing bodies for burial.

Rhine McLin's Political Career

Rhine McLin has had a long and important career in politics. She followed in her father's footsteps, as her father, C. J. McLin, was also a politician.

Starting in the Ohio House

In 1988, after her father passed away, Rhine McLin was chosen to finish his term in the Ohio House of Representatives. This is one part of Ohio's state government. She then won elections for the same seat in 1990 and 1992.

Moving to the Ohio Senate

In 1994, McLin was elected to the Ohio Senate, which is the other part of Ohio's state government. She was re-elected to the Senate in 1998. In 2001, her fellow Democratic senators chose her to be the Minority Leader. This means she was the main leader for her party in the Senate. She served in this role until 2002. She could not run for the Senate again because of "term limits," which are rules that limit how many times a person can be elected to the same office.

Becoming Mayor of Dayton

After leaving the Senate, Rhine McLin decided to run for mayor of Dayton, Ohio. In 2001, she won the election, beating the mayor at the time, Michael R. Turner. She started her term as mayor in 2002. She was re-elected in 2005. In 2009, she ran for mayor again but did not win.

Important Firsts for Rhine McLin

Rhine McLin made history several times during her career:

• In 1994, she became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Ohio State Senate.
• She was also the first African-American woman to serve as the Ohio Senate minority leader.
• When she became mayor of Dayton, she was the first woman to hold that position.
• She was the third African-American mayor of Dayton.
• In late 2005, she became the first African-American woman to lead the Ohio Democratic Party.