Kalyn Free
Encyclopedia
Kalyn Free is an American attorney, former political candidate, and a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
.
, and after she graduated from law school she began her legal career by going to work for the United States Department of Justice
; she was the youngest attorney ever hired by the DOJ. Later, in 1998, she ran for and became the first Native American woman ever to be elected a District Attorney
in Oklahoma
. During her administration, she focused her efforts on fighting for women, children, and crime victim's rights.
In 2004, she was a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for the open House seat in the 2nd Congressional District
, with the support of Emily's List
, the Sierra Club
, and 21st Century Democrats
. She lost the nomination to the eventual general election winner, Congressman Dan Boren
.
devoted to electing Native American candidates at the local and state level, INDN's List (Indigenous Native Democratic Network). An avid runner, Kalyn has participated in several marathons. Kalyn has an abiding interest in Japan and has represented the United States on trips to Japan sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Kalyn and some friends and family capped her latest trip to Japan by climbing Mt. Fuji.
As part of her efforts to give Native Americans a greater voice in the political arena, Kalyn has created www.PrezOnTheRez.org, which invited Presidential candidates to meet and address the concerns of indigenous peoples.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland comprising twelve tribal districts. The Choctaw Nation maintains a special relationship with both the United States and Oklahoma governments...
.
Early legal and political career
Free was born in Red Oak, OklahomaRed Oak, Oklahoma
Red Oak is a town in Latimer County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 581 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Red Oak is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, and after she graduated from law school she began her legal career by going to work for the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
; she was the youngest attorney ever hired by the DOJ. Later, in 1998, she ran for and became the first Native American woman ever to be elected a District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. During her administration, she focused her efforts on fighting for women, children, and crime victim's rights.
In 2004, she was a candidate for the Democratic
Oklahoma Democratic Party
The Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics....
nomination for the open House seat in the 2nd Congressional District
Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
Oklahoma's Second Congressional District is one of five United States Congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east...
, with the support of Emily's List
EMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
, the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
, and 21st Century Democrats
21st Century Democrats
21st Century Democrats is a political organization founded by Senator Tom Harkin, commentator Jim Hightower and Congressman Lane Evans to help elect "progressive" or "populist" candidates.- Background :...
. She lost the nomination to the eventual general election winner, Congressman Dan Boren
Dan Boren
Daniel David "Dan" Boren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district includes most of the eastern part of the state outside of Tulsa...
.
Recent work
Kalyn established the very first political action committeePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
devoted to electing Native American candidates at the local and state level, INDN's List (Indigenous Native Democratic Network). An avid runner, Kalyn has participated in several marathons. Kalyn has an abiding interest in Japan and has represented the United States on trips to Japan sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Kalyn and some friends and family capped her latest trip to Japan by climbing Mt. Fuji.
As part of her efforts to give Native Americans a greater voice in the political arena, Kalyn has created www.PrezOnTheRez.org, which invited Presidential candidates to meet and address the concerns of indigenous peoples.
See also
- Politics of OklahomaPolitics of OklahomaPolitics of Oklahoma takes place in a framework of a presidential republic modeled after the United States, whereby the Governor of Oklahoma is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform two-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Governor and the government...
- Oklahoma Democratic PartyOklahoma Democratic PartyThe Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics....
- Choctaw Nation of OklahomaChoctaw Nation of OklahomaThe Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland comprising twelve tribal districts. The Choctaw Nation maintains a special relationship with both the United States and Oklahoma governments...