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I’m so proud of Laila Edwards.
Not only is Laila one of Ohio’s most cherished daughters and one of the best hockey players in the world – she’s also the first Black woman to represent Team USA in hockey at the Olympics.
And on Thursday, thanks in large part to an incredible assist from Laila, the U.S. women’s team brought home the gold medal.
I think everybody in Ohio heard the cheering from Cleveland Heights.
It was an awesome game. But it was also historic.
Jackie Robinson. Billie Jean King. Laila Edwards.
Every generation has athletes who don’t just win games – they remind us that greatness can come from anywhere. They expand what feels possible. They move the country forward.
Laila grew up skating during public skate at the Cleveland Heights Community Center – the same rink where kids still wobble along the boards today.
That ordinary rink helped build an extraordinary athlete.
Cleveland Heights’ slogan is “All Are Welcome.” It’s a community that has worked hard to live up to that promise.
Laila’s success isn’t just about hockey. It’s about what happens when a community decides to invest in its kids and show up for each other.
Read more on Sherrod Brown's Substack.
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