Cuyahoga County Council approves reappointment of Nikisha Nickerson to Women’s Health Commission

Cuyahoga County Council approved a resolution July 15 to confirm the county executive’s reappointment of Councilwoman Nikisha Nickerson to the Cuyahoga County Women’s Health Commission for the term May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2028. The administration asked the council to suspend the rules and consider the nomination at a single meeting.

The commission, created last year, has nine appointed members who serve three-year terms that are staggered so only a portion of the panel rotates each year. Chris Alvarado, speaking on behalf of the county executive, asked council to suspend the second-reading requirement so the nomination could proceed. “We are requesting a second reading suspension of the rules, for this nomination, please,” Alvarado said.

Nickerson, introduced to the committee and identified in the meeting as a councilwoman from the village of Woodmere and a 2025 mayoral candidate for Woodmere Village, told council she wants to continue serving on the commission to advocate for “the health and well-being of women and girls across Cuyahoga County.” She described her motivation as both personal and professional and said her work with constituents — including many seniors in her district — informs her perspective on issues from youth education about health to needs of older women. “My passion remains deeply rooted in advocating for the health and well-being of women and girls across Cuyahoga County and I am committed to identifying solutions that expand access to resources, enhance education, [and] foster development that empowers these women,” Nickerson said.

Council members who participated in the discussion praised Nickerson’s community ties and urged the commission to coordinate with the council when the panel identifies needs. Council member Schlepper, who was recorded in attendance, said Nickerson is “both an anchor and a beacon” in the community and expressed support for the nomination. Council members noted the commission’s recent work included a presentation on period poverty and described opportunities for council to provide resources or connections if the commission identifies specific needs.

The committee moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-0211 under suspension of the rules; a motion and a second were recorded and the chair called for the vote. The committee recorded the voice vote as “Aye” with no dissent; the clerk announced the resolution was approved and would move to the full council next Tuesday for final confirmation. The meeting record did not include a named mover or seconder for the committee motion, nor a roll-call tally of individual votes at the committee level.

Background reported during the meeting: the Women’s Health Commission has nine members appointed to three-year terms and the administration staggered those terms so approximately one-third of the commission is up for appointment each year. The meeting also noted a prior appointment of Melanie Goliebski to the commission. No funding sources or specific program budgets were discussed during this item.

The committee also noted, without discussion recorded in the excerpt, that Resolution 2025-217 was being held at the request of a council member. No further action on that item was taken at the July 15 committee meeting.