Today we are very fortunate to have with us Judge Anita Laster Mays who is currently serving on the Ohio District Court of Appeals for the Eighth District. She has held this position for the past twelve years and is currently running for re-election.

One reason I invited her on the show is that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and she serves on the Domestic Violence Commission with the Supreme Court of Ohio. Judge Mays has worked tirelessly to improve both victim safety and offender accountability. She has also worked to improve the legal framework for victims of rape and assault. Many vulnerable women employees are raped in fast-food restaurants, and she is responsible for the successful outcome of “The Burger King Case.” As you listen to the podcast, you will see that Judge Anita Laster Mays is a fair and compassionate judge who never stops working to obtain justice for the people of Ohio.

In her eleven years as a municipal court judge in Cleveland, she worked as a Mental Health Judge and Drug Court Judge. She also worked as a Weed and Seed Judge helping women in the sex industry to get out by offering drug treatment, housing, job training, GED, and other educational opportunities.

She is an advocate for women and children in terms of her involvement in community programs. One program she is very proud of is the creation of the swim clinics dedicated to teaching Black and Hispanic children about water safety and teaching them how to swim.

If you’d like to learn more about her life and career, please follow these links:

“Anita Laster Mays for re-election to the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals: endorsement editorial.” Oct. 18th, 2026. cleveland.com

Anita Laster Mays – obja.us

I want you to know that this podcast will continue to be a trusted source of information focused on the concerns of today’s women. If you have a certain topic you’d like me to cover, please reach out to me at [email protected]. Please place “Dr. Carolyn in Cleveland” in the subject.