Dona Brady was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is of Albanian descent. She was a founder and first president of the Albanian American Association of Cleveland. Dona was instrumental in establishing a Sister City program with Fier, Albania and Cleveland, Ohio. She hosted events in Cleveland for the Mayor of Fier as well as artists and others from Albania,
Dona worked with several organizations to resettle ethnic Albanian Kosovar refugees who were sent to Cleveland following the war in Kosovo in 1999. Dona was recognized by the American Nationalities Movement for her work with the Albanian community in Greater Cleveland.
Dona Brady spearheaded the creation of the Albanian Cultural Garden and worked with the community to erect a statue of Mother Teresa. In 2012 Albanian President Bujar Nishani and Albanian Ambassador to the United States Gilbert Galanxhi attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
the Honorable Bujar Nishani, President of Albania
Dona and the Albanian Cultural Garden hosted a canonization ceremony for Blessed Mother Teresa on Sunday September 4, 2016. “Many people don’t know Mother Teresa was Albanian,” she commented.
Dona earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in urban studies from Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs. She also graduated from CSU’s Leadership Academy. Dona was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and was the recipient of the 2005 Outstanding Elected Official’s Award from CSU’s Leadership Academy.
Dona Brady recently retired from the Cleveland City Council after 20 years of distinguished public service. She currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Albanian American Association of Cleveland and is the Albanian Ambassador to ClevelandPeople.Com, celebrating Cleveland’s cultural diversity.
Dona and her husband Dan live in the Edgewater neighborhood of Cleveland. They have visited Albania five times since 2007.
The April 23, 2024 induction event at Windows on the River was a sell out with 500 people in attendance.
Dona was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by her former colleague Cleveland Councilman Michael Polensek. Ward 8 Councilman Michael D. Polensek, the “dean” of city council, has served the neighborhoods of northeast Cleveland since 1978, making him the longest-serving Council member in the city’s history. He was inducted himself into the Hall of Fame last year.
Here is the video of entire Cleveland International Hall of Fame ceremony. You can jump to about 40:12 to watch Dona Brady being inducted by Mike Polensek and her acceptance remarks.
Enjoy these images of Dona Brady from the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Dona Brady and Judge Jeff Johnson
