GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS ROOM

Born and raised in Akron, State Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes was elected to represent her hometown (OH-34) in November 2014. With a strong sense of responsibility for the well-being of those that she serves, Sykes has tackled the challenges of her district with unmatched passion and dedication.

As representative, Sykes has pushed an aggressive job creation plan, fighting to keep local jobs for local workers and expand opportunities for middle and working class families in Akron. Rep. Sykes understands the importance of a quality education and job training for people to get ahead. She has supported young leadership and mentorship programs to inspire young people to reach their goals.

Sykes previously served as Administrative Staff Advisor at the Summit County Fiscal Office, where she worked to establish a county land bank to repurpose vacant and abandoned properties. At Community Legal Services in Akron, Sykes offered access to quality health and legal services to people in need. She also served as  Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia.

Sykes attended Kent State University, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology. She later attended the University of Florida, where she earned a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law from the Levin College of Law and a Masters of Public Health from the College of Public Health and Health Professions.

As a student Sykes began her studies on women’s access to healthcare and investigated major issues at crisis pregnancy centers here in Ohio. In law school, she volunteered with the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic to educate women and girls about domestic violence and how to form positive relationships. From these experiences, Rep. Sykes continues to place issues affecting girls and woman at the forefront of her policy agenda.

Sykes served as the Ohio House minority leader from 2019 to 2021.

Emilia Sykes became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 13th district in 2023.