Amy Acton Day Proposed In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Two Ohio legislators have proposed designating Feb. 26 as Amy Acton Day in Ohio.

The date — February 26 — represents the day Acton became the director of the Ohio Department of Health. She would then lead Ohio's response to COVID-19, becoming both a source of inspiration and a lighting rod for criticism in the process.

The proposal was introduced by state Rep. Kent Smith and state Rep. Mary Lightbody.

"History will bear out that Amy Acton was a major asset in Ohio’s COVID-19 fight," Smith told Patch.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, T-shirt companies made products with Acton's image and Ohioans began celebrating "wine with DeWine" during the Gov. Mike DeWine's then-daily 2 p.m. news conferences (during which he was flanked by Acton).

Acton was frequently praised for her down-to-earth style and ability to communicate complicated medical information to the public.

As the pandemic wore on, and parts of Ohio's population felt the pinch of economic contraction, Acton became the subject of frequent and vitriolic attacks.

An Ohio lawmaker's wife compared Acton's health orders to Nazi Germany. Protesters also camped outside Acton's home and displayed anti-Semitic signs addressing her during protests.
Republican lawmakers in Ohio made frequent attempts to limit her power as director of the state's health department.

"My GOP colleagues chose to go after a member of DeWine’s cabinet who happened to be female and happened to be Jewish. I wanted Amy Acton to know she had support in the legislature and in Ohio. I think her work was exemplary," Smith said.

Acton resigned in mid-June. In her departing speech, she thanked Ohioans for their support and their strength in the face of crisis. She also admitted to contemplating resignation for weeks. DeWine repeatedly referred to her as a hero.