Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
Encyclopedia
Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by Oklahoma Governor George Nigh
"to honor Oklahoma women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma; who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma; who serve or have served as role models to other Oklahoma women; who may be "unsung heroes," but have made a difference in the lives of Oklahomans or Americans because of their actions; who have championed other women, women's issues, or served as public policy advocates for the issues important to women; and who exemplify the Oklahoma spirit."
The Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
is one of several events sponsored by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
to support its mission, "To improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma."
And shall include:
, Kate Barnard
, June Brooks, Gloria Stewart Farley, Aloysius Larch-Miller, Susan Ryan Peters, Christine Salmon, Edyth Thomas Wallace.
1983: Zelia N. Breaux, Kate Frank, Leona Mitchell
, Dr. Jean Pitts, Judge Juanita Stout, Judge Alma Wilson.
1984: Angie Debo
, Jeane Duane Kirkpatrick
, Jewell Russell Mann, Zella J. Patterson.
1985: Mae Boren Axton
, June Tompkins Benson, Pam Olson, Betty Durham Price, Bertha Frank Teague.
1986: Sara Ruth Cohen, Vinita Cravens, Rubye Hibler Hall, Elizabeth Ann McCurdy Holmes, Grace Elizabeth Hudlin, Wilma P. Mankiller, Edna Mae Phelps, Evelyn La Rue Pittman.
1993: Marie Cox, Anita Faye Hill
, Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski, Jacqulyn C. Longacre, Shannon Lucid
, Clara Luper
, Opaline Deveraux Wadkins, Pat Woodrum.
1995: Nancy Goodman Feldman, Barbara J. Gardner, Ruthe Blalock Jones
, Mona Salyer Lambird, Gloria Grace Langdon, Bernice Compton Mitchell, Donna Nigh.
1996: Representative Betty Boyd, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher
, Lela Foreman, Sandy Ingraham, Lorena Males, Senator Bernice Shedrick
, Valree Fletcher Wynn.
1997: Isabel Keith Baker, Jessie Thatcher Bost, Norman Eagleton, Kay Goebel, Ruth Gilliland Kistler Hardaman, Beverly Horse, Mazola McKerson, Senator Penny Baldwin Williams.
2001: Representative Jari Askins
, Shirley Bellmon, Dorothy Moses DeWitty, Sandy Garrett, Lynn Jones, Justice Yvonne Kauger
, Jill Zink Tarbel, Dana Tiger.
2003: Esther Houser, Vicki Miles-LaGrange
, Linda Morrissey, Lynn Schusterman, Donna Shirley
.
2005: Wanda L. Bass, Judge Nancy L. Coats, Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin
, Amelia Elizabeth “Bessie” Simison McColgin, Jeanine Rhea, Judge Stephanie Kulp Seymour
.
2007: Sherri Coale
, Ginny Creveling, Dr. Joe Anna Hibler, Maxine Horner
, Dr. Kay Martin, Terry Neese, Claudia Tarrington, Dr. Carolyn Taylor, Della Warrior.
2009: Major General Rita Aragon
, Suzanne Edmondson, Edna Hennessee, First Lady Kim Henry
, Marabeau Looney, Secretary of State Susan Savage, Carolyn Whitener.
2011: Dr. Laura Boyd
, Chloe Brown, Joy Culbreath, Marcia Mitchell, Ardina Moore, Dr. Cynthia Ross, Kathy Taylor
, Helen Harrod Thompson.
George Nigh
George Patterson Nigh , is a popular civic leader in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Nigh served as the 17th and the 22nd Governor of Oklahoma. He was the first Oklahoma Governor to be re-elected and the first to win all 77 counties in the state...
"to honor Oklahoma women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma; who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma; who serve or have served as role models to other Oklahoma women; who may be "unsung heroes," but have made a difference in the lives of Oklahomans or Americans because of their actions; who have championed other women, women's issues, or served as public policy advocates for the issues important to women; and who exemplify the Oklahoma spirit."
The Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
is one of several events sponsored by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1994. Made up of thirty members, one-third are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of...
to support its mission, "To improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma."
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a woman who has either lived in the State of Oklahoma for a major portion of her life or who is easily identified as an Oklahoman;
- Must not be a current member of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of WomenOklahoma Commission on the Status of WomenOklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1994. Made up of thirty members, one-third are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of...
;
And shall include:
- Women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma.
- Women who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma.
- Women who serve or have served as role models to other Oklahoma women.
- Women who may be "unsung heroes" but have made a difference in the lives of Oklahomans or Americans because of their actions.
- Women who have championed other women, women's issues, or served as public policyPublic policyPublic policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
advocates for the issues important to women. - Women who exemplify the Oklahoma spirit.
Inductees
1982: Hannah Diggs AtkinsHannah Atkins
Hannah Diggs Atkins was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980, and the first African American woman elected to it...
, Kate Barnard
Kate Barnard
Catherine Ann "Kate" Barnard was the first woman to be elected as a state official in Oklahoma, and the United States in 1907...
, June Brooks, Gloria Stewart Farley, Aloysius Larch-Miller, Susan Ryan Peters, Christine Salmon, Edyth Thomas Wallace.
1983: Zelia N. Breaux, Kate Frank, Leona Mitchell
Leona Mitchell
Leona Mitchell , is an African-American and Chickasaw operatic soprano and an Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee....
, Dr. Jean Pitts, Judge Juanita Stout, Judge Alma Wilson.
1984: Angie Debo
Angie Debo
Angie Elbertha Debo was an American historian who wrote 13 books and hundreds of articles about Native American and Oklahoma history...
, Jeane Duane Kirkpatrick
Jeane Kirkpatrick
Jeane Jordan Kirkpatrick was an American ambassador and an ardent anticommunist. After serving as Ronald Reagan's foreign policy adviser in his 1980 campaign and later in his Cabinet, the longtime Democrat-turned-Republican was nominated as the U.S...
, Jewell Russell Mann, Zella J. Patterson.
1985: Mae Boren Axton
Mae Boren Axton
Mae Boren Axton was known in the music industry as the 'Queen Mother of Nashville'...
, June Tompkins Benson, Pam Olson, Betty Durham Price, Bertha Frank Teague.
1986: Sara Ruth Cohen, Vinita Cravens, Rubye Hibler Hall, Elizabeth Ann McCurdy Holmes, Grace Elizabeth Hudlin, Wilma P. Mankiller, Edna Mae Phelps, Evelyn La Rue Pittman.
1993: Marie Cox, Anita Faye Hill
Anita Hill
Anita Faye Hill is an American attorney and academic—presently a professor of social policy, law and women's studies at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She became a national figure in 1991 when she alleged that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had...
, Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski, Jacqulyn C. Longacre, Shannon Lucid
Shannon Lucid
Shannon Matilda Wells Lucid is an American biochemist and a NASA astronaut. At one time, she held the record for the longest duration stay in space by an American, as well as by a woman...
, Clara Luper
Clara Luper
Clara Shepard Luper was a civic leader, retired schoolteacher, and a pioneering leader in the American Civil Rights Movement...
, Opaline Deveraux Wadkins, Pat Woodrum.
1995: Nancy Goodman Feldman, Barbara J. Gardner, Ruthe Blalock Jones
Ruthe Blalock Jones
Ruthe Blalock Jones is an award-winning Delaware-Shawnee-Peoria painter and printmaker from Oklahoma.-Background:Ruthe Blalock Jones was born on June 8, 1939 in Claremore, Oklahoma. Her parents are Joe and Lucy Parks Blalock. Her tribal name is Chulundit.She earned an associates degree from Bacone...
, Mona Salyer Lambird, Gloria Grace Langdon, Bernice Compton Mitchell, Donna Nigh.
1996: Representative Betty Boyd, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher
Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher
Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was a key figure in the Civil Rights movement in Oklahoma. She applied for admission into the University of Oklahoma law school in order to challenge the state's segregation laws and to become a lawyer...
, Lela Foreman, Sandy Ingraham, Lorena Males, Senator Bernice Shedrick
Bernice Shedrick
Mary Bernice Shedrick represented Oklahoma State Senate District 21 from 1980 - 1996. In 1994 she was a candidate for Governor of Oklahoma. Shedrick is now a part-time Administrative Law Judge in Payne and Logan counties and is a member of the Ethics Commission of Oklahoma.-Biography:Born in...
, Valree Fletcher Wynn.
1997: Isabel Keith Baker, Jessie Thatcher Bost, Norman Eagleton, Kay Goebel, Ruth Gilliland Kistler Hardaman, Beverly Horse, Mazola McKerson, Senator Penny Baldwin Williams.
2001: Representative Jari Askins
Jari Askins
Jari Askins is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. She was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, being the second female and the first Democratic female to hold that position....
, Shirley Bellmon, Dorothy Moses DeWitty, Sandy Garrett, Lynn Jones, Justice Yvonne Kauger
Yvonne Kauger
Yvonne Kauger , She is currently a Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and was appointed to the Court's District 4 seat by Governor George Nigh in 1984, and served as Chief Justice from 1997 to 1998...
, Jill Zink Tarbel, Dana Tiger.
2003: Esther Houser, Vicki Miles-LaGrange
Vicki Miles-LaGrange
Vicki Miles-LaGrange is the Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. She was the first African American woman to be sworn in as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma...
, Linda Morrissey, Lynn Schusterman, Donna Shirley
Donna Shirley
Donna Shirley is a former manager of Mars Exploration at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She is the author of the book Managing Martians: The Extraordinary Story of a Woman's Lifelong Quest to Get to Mars—and of the Team Behind the Space Robot That Has Captured the Imagination of the World...
.
2005: Wanda L. Bass, Judge Nancy L. Coats, Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, Amelia Elizabeth “Bessie” Simison McColgin, Jeanine Rhea, Judge Stephanie Kulp Seymour
Stephanie Kulp Seymour
Stephanie Kulp Seymour is a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.-Early life and education:...
.
2007: Sherri Coale
Sherri Coale
-References:...
, Ginny Creveling, Dr. Joe Anna Hibler, Maxine Horner
Maxine Horner
Maxine Horner was one of the first African American women to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate, serving from 1987 to 2005, along with Vicki Miles-LaGrange. Horner held the position of Democratic Caucus Chair, as well as Chair of Business and Labor and Government Operations, and Vice-Chair of Adult...
, Dr. Kay Martin, Terry Neese, Claudia Tarrington, Dr. Carolyn Taylor, Della Warrior.
2009: Major General Rita Aragon
Rita Aragon
LaRita A. "Rita" Aragon is a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general who is currently serving as the 4th Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Her final active military post was as the Air National Guard assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel...
, Suzanne Edmondson, Edna Hennessee, First Lady Kim Henry
Kim Henry
Kimberly Ann "Kim" Henry is an American teacher who is the wife of the 26th Governor of Oklahoma, Brad Henry. She was the First Lady of Oklahoma from January 13, 2003, to January 10, 2011.-Biography:...
, Marabeau Looney, Secretary of State Susan Savage, Carolyn Whitener.
2011: Dr. Laura Boyd
Laura Boyd
Laura Boyd is an American politician from Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, Boyd was elected in 1992 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent District 44, which included Cleveland County. She served in the State House for six year until 1998 when she became the first woman...
, Chloe Brown, Joy Culbreath, Marcia Mitchell, Ardina Moore, Dr. Cynthia Ross, Kathy Taylor
Kathy Taylor
Kathryn L. Taylor was elected the 38th Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 4, 2006, in the city's largest voter turnout for a mayoral election. She defeated Republican incumbent Mayor Bill Lafortune to become Tulsa's second female mayor, after Susan Savage first filled the post in 1992...
, Helen Harrod Thompson.
See also
- National Women's Hall of FameNational Women's Hall of FameThe National Women's Hall of Fame is an American institution. It was created in 1969 by a group of people in Seneca Falls, New York, the location of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention...
- Michigan Women's Hall of FameMichigan Women's Hall of FameThe Michigan Women's Hall of Fame honors distinguished women, both historical and contemporary, who have been associated with the U.S. state of Michigan. It is housed in the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame building, located at 213 W. Malcolm X St. in downtown Lansing, Michigan...
- New Jersey Women's Hall of FameNew Jersey Women's Hall of FameThe New Jersey Women's Hall of Fame was established in 2011, by the YWCA of Trenton, in Trenton, New Jersey.Inductions into the hall of fame occur at the Annual Induction Gala, which is held in the Spring. Each inductee receives the Gerber Daisy Award, created in 2011 by Boehm Porcelain, of...
- Ohio Women's Hall of FameOhio Women's Hall of FameThe Ohio Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1978 and has 356 members. It provides public recognition for the achievements of Ohio women that better their state, their country and their world.-See also:*National Women's Hall of Fame...
External links
- Photo Archive of 2007 Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony
- National Women's Hall of Fame, Women of the Hall
- Voices of Oklahoma interview with Lynn Schusterman. First person interview conducted on September 14, 2010 with Lynn Schusterman. Original audio and transcript archived with Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.