The Matriots is a nonpartisan political action committee based in Columbus, Ohio. Our members are women and men: Democrats, Republicans, and independents; Ohioans and out-of-staters.
The Matriots was founded after six central Ohio women participated in the Women’s March on Washington in January 2017: Mindy Coffey, Sally Crane Cox, Rebecca Ibel, April Zimmerman Katz, Cathe Kobacker, and Sharon Steele. These Marchers came away from the event inspired to create a force that worked to elect more women to public office in Ohio to support economic justice for women and address our country’s political stalemate. That force is The Matriots.
Our mission
To elect more Ohio women to public office who will promote a healthy economy in which women can thrive and prosper.
Team
Elissa Schneider, executive director
Elissa joins The Matriots with more than a decade of non-profit fundraising experience, most recently serving as director of major gifts with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and coordinator of annual giving at Columbus State Community College. Prior to this, she worked as a political fundraiser in Ohio and Michigan. She currently serves on the board of trustees for Transit Columbus and is a City of Columbus Commission appointee with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds an MBA from Franklin University. Elissa is an Ohioan, born and raised in Oregon, Ohio and is ready to take on this leadership role with The Matriots in the midst of recent momentum.
Helen Fite, communications and political relationship manager
Board of Directors
This Board sets the policies and strategies that guide our PAC.
