From the Deans' Suite - 2/12/26 - From Cleveland Heights to the Olympic Stage

This week in From the Deans’ Suite, we step back and make space for a message from our emeritus colleague, Professor Ken Kowalski, who reminds us that sometimes the impact of our work in the law shows up in unexpected ways and sometimes many years later.

The U.S. Women's Hockey Team is having phenomenal success at the Winter Olympics, currently standing at #1 in Group A. That success is due in no small part to a player from Cleveland Heights, Laila Edwards, as detailed in the Plain Dealer.

Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Heights in particular can take pride in Ms. Edwards' accomplishments.

So can Cleveland State University College of Law — because of pioneering litigation by the legendary CSU Law Professor Emeritus Jane Picker. One of the founding members of the Women's Law Fund, Professor Picker brought a number of ground-breaking sex discrimination cases. One such case, Sullivan v. Cleveland Heights, was brought on behalf of a girl who played hockey in the Cleveland Heights youth sports program. The complaint alleged that she had been placed on a team with less skilled players because of her gender and that she, the only female player, was not provided changing facilities equal to those provided to the male players.

The City prevailed on the claim regarding changing facilities. However, according to Professor Picker, the first claim was settled, and young Ms. Sullivan was then able to play on the team with players at her skill level. Female hockey players were to be taken seriously in Cleveland Heights.

And now, a female Cleveland Heights hockey player is being taken very seriously by the world.

Many thanks to Professor Kowalski for this timely and meaningful reflection.

Warmly, 
Carolyn and Brian