OK's Presidential Primary Election is March 6

Remember to vote in Oklahoma's Presidential Primary election on March 9.

Candidates on the DEMOCRATIC ballot include Barack Obama, Bob Ely, Randall Terry, Jim Rogers, and Darcy Richardson. REPUBLICANS have more familiar names to choose from including Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman.

Here are some other important dates:

6/1/12	Primary Voter Registration Deadline
6/26/12	Primary Election Day
8/3/12	Runoff Voter Registration Deadline
8/28/12	Runoff Election Day
10/8-12/12	Statewide Workplace Voter Registration Week
10/12/12	General Voter Registration Deadline
11/6/12	General Election Day

See http://www.ok.gov/elections/support/ppp_filing.html and

Oklahoma Legislature Recognizes Importance of Marriage

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

February 9, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Mark McCullough

Capitol: (405) 557-7414

Lawmakers Observe Importance of Marriage

OKLAHOMA CITY – With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, state lawmakers declared the importance of marriage to a stable Oklahoma, issuing a formal citation observing “Marriage Week” in the state.

“There is simply no denying that stable marriages and intact families contribute greatly to our state, both culturally and financially,” said state Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa. “When families fragment, the repercussions are extensive and cost Oklahoma taxpayers more than $400 million annually. But the benefits of healthy marriages go far beyond fiscal impact; they improve quality of life and social cohesion in our state. That’s why it is so important to celebrate the institution of marriage and to hold up successful marriages as a model.”

In a citation, lawmakers declared the week of Feb. 6 to be “Marriage Week,” The citation declares that members of the Oklahoma Legislature “wish to express their support to the institution of marriage and to those married and soon to be married couples who have promised, before God, to dedicate themselves from death do them part to a lifetime of love and commitment to one another.”

McCullough and state Sen. Gary Stanislawski (R-Tulsa) authored the citation t in conjunction with National Marriage Week, and Mike Jestes, former director of the Oklahoma Family Policy Council spoke at its presentation.

A study, “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” conservatively estimates divorce has a dramatic impact on the cost of state government (largely through public assistance programs) – up to $430 million annually in Oklahoma.

Research shows children from broken homes are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated, seven times more likely to live in poverty and three times more likely to be expelled and receive lower grades. They also are more susceptible to substance abuse and mental health disorders, McCullough noted.

“Family disintegration is at the root of many challenges facing our state today, and healthy marriages are the foundation for preventing and resolving many of those problems,” McCullough said. “Our job as lawmakers is to foster a policy environment in Oklahoma that supports healthy families and helps those teetering on the brink from falling apart as much as possible.”

-30-

Jasmine Pascoe gets perfect sore on ACT exam

Edmond Memorial High School senior Jasmine Pascoe is one of only 704 students in the United States so far this year (out of 1.6 million) to earn a perfect score on her ACT exam. Way to go, Jasmine. See Edmond student hits perfect act score, nov 5, 2011.

Spc. Sarina Butcher first female OK National Guard soldier killed in combat

Not only was Sarina Butcher the first female Oklahoma National Guard soldier killed in combat, she was also the youngest Oklahoma National Guard member to die in either Iraq or Afghanistan. 


Sarina died November 1 when the vehicle she was driving as part of a resupply mission was struck by a roadside bomb in Paktia province in Afghanistan. 


For more, see "Family, friends say goodbye to fallen Checotah soldier."


Image from http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-pfc-sarina-n-butcher/6568041

Mary Fallin, Jari Askins Documentary "First & Female"

This Thursday, Dec 1, at 9pm, watch or record "First & Female" -- the documentary film produced by Oklahoma City’s deadCENTER Film Festival. It will be on OETA - Cox channels 14 & 713. Oklahomans interviewed include Rita Aragon, Gena Timberman, Jane Jayroe, Debby Hampton and several more Oklahoma women.

Remembering Oklahoman Judy Copeland

We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the recent death of Oklahoma attorney and public servant Judy Copeland. Legal counsel to Governor Mary Fallin at the time of her death, Copeland was only 42 years old. Read her obituary here.  Her untimely death from a stroke has many Oklahoma women determined to double their efforts on the "Go Red for Women" campaign which raises awareness about women and heart disease.

How many Oklahoma hospitals are run by women?

The Journal Record ran a lovely article recently on Cathy Hibbs who is CEO of Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born in Tulsa and raised in Miami, OK. After working in Texas and Kentucky, it is great to have her back home in Oklahoma!


Know any other women running hospitals in Oklahoma? If so, leave a comment and tell us about them, please! 

Kathy LaFortune to be Honored

Congratulations to Tulsan Kathy LaFortune. She will be the 2011 recipient of the Oklahoma Psychological Association Distinguished Professional Service Citation at the annual OPA meeting in November.  A licensed psychologist and attorney, LaFortune serves as Chief of Forensic Psychological Services for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. She is also an Adjunct Faculty Member in both the College of Law and the Department of Psychology at the University of Tulsa.  She received a  

8th Annual "Girlie (Art) Show" Is This Weekend in Oklahoma City

It’s only 9 days away! The 8th Annual Girlie Show is coming up! Is it on your calendar?
Here’s the scoop: Friday, November 4th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
                            Saturday, November 5th, noon to 5 p.m.
                            Farmer’s Public Market in OKC

Friday features fab food from some of the finest area restaurants, so get there early and get some! (First 100 in the door get a Girlie goodie bag, too!)

Saturday there is live music from some of the hottest female musicians around; they'll be rockin’ the house all day.

Friday admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Friday ticket stub gets you in FREE on Saturday.
Saturday admission: $5. Tickets available at the door only.  Kids 12 and under FREE.

Purchase tickets online at http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/thegirlieshow2011/okcfarmersmarket/oklahomacity/7742/

Or in person at Blue 7 on N. May & Grand and DNA Galleries in the Plaza District.

OSU's Donna Branson Inducted into Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Dr. Donna H. Branson who was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame at the 2011 induction ceremony October 11 at the Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame Museum in Oklahoma City. Here is the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society's write up on Dr. Branson:

Donna Branson has left a matchless record in the area of material design and construction of body protection clothing.

In 1972, she earned a Ph.D. in Family Ecology, emphasizing functional apparel design, from Michigan State University. She had already served as instructor at the University of Rhode Island and at Michigan State University for several years before she was hired as Associate Professor in the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at OSU in 1983.

She became Professor in four years and in 1992 was chosen Head of her department. Under her leadership, for nearly seven years (1998 to 2005), almost all faculty obtained external funding for their research projects, and she was instrumental in setting up the Christine Salmon Endowed Visiting Professorships. As well, Donna Branson has produced an inspiring record as a researcher.

She has co-authored 32 journal articles, 23 pamphlets and professional reports, refereed 86 presentations, and juried seven design exhibits or competitions. Over the years, she has obtained 28 grants and now owns one manufacturing license and has four pending patents. Much of this scholarly output has been related to designing body armor that protects against bomb attacks but still allows for mobility and temperature control. Her work has been instrumental in protecting United States soldiers in the Middle East.

For her work, she has been given the Mortar Board Outstanding OSU Teacher Award, the Marguerite Scruggs Award for Meritorious Research, the National Textile Center Scientific Excellence Adviser, Oklahoma State University Regents Professor, and in 2006, the Homeland Security Award.

Professor Branson retired from OSU in 2006 but continues to serve as the Director of the Institute of Protective Apparel Research and Technology in Stillwater.

For this marvelous record of research and service to state and nation, the OHEHS proudly inducts Donna H. Branson into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

Register Now for Nov 15 Oklahoma Women's Issues Symposium

For years, Oklahoma has led the nation in sending women to prison, with rates reaching nearly twice the national average on a per capita basis. For the past three years, the Oklahoma Women's Coalition has played a role in developing public awareness, producing strategies for reducing Oklahoma's incarceration rates, and  promoting alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent female offenders. Last spring,  Governor Mary Fallin signed into law what she called a "landmark corrections reform measure."

How is that bill working? What others bills will we see in the 2012 legislative session on incarceration of women? What initiatives are underway to increase the number of women attending and graduating from college? What can we do to inprove Oklahoma's rankings on women's health? How can we support Oklahoma's women-serving organizations. Learn about these and more at the Oklahoma Women's Coalition  Fall Issues Symposium on the afternoon of Tues, Nov 15.View the program agenda and register to attend at http://ow.ly/75mRv

PS Plan to also attend a networking  party following the Symposium (5-6:30pm) at a fabulous home nearby!

Dana Weber Named 2011 Oklahoma Woman of the Year

Congratulations to Dana Weber (left) for being named "2011 Woman of the Year" by the Journal Record this evening. Weber is President/CEO and Vice Chairman of Webco Industries in Sand Springs. Under her leadership, she took her family's business from less than $20 million in sales when she started in 1971 to around $450 million today. In addition to her corporate success, Dana is active in the Tulsa Metro Chamber, The State Chamber of Oklahoma and Tulsa's Young Professionals and many other civic organizations.

Kudos to Mary Melon, President and Publisher of The Journal Record Publishing Company, for hosting the Woman of the Year Gala  and the morning Forum - both extraordinary events!  During the morning forum, we talked about our role models so I thought I'd have this picture taken in front of a protrait of my mother, Margaret McAvoy. In the image below, I am holding the special edition Journal Record magazine which contains  bios on all 50 "women making a difference in Oklahoma." (The bio of Dana Weber (click to enlarge) is on the right). In addition, Terry Neese and Shelia O. Lee were honored this evening. AND - five women-serving organizations were honored -- Suited for Success, Work of Women (World Neighbors), the YWCA of Oklahoma City, Stand in the Gap Ministries, and the Women's Leadership Initiative. There were also five runners up: Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, Smart Start of Central Oklahoma, Legal Aid of Oklahoma, Inc and - - - -  wait for it. . . (ta da) . . .  the Oklahoma Women's Coalition!!! Yeah.

This year, the decorations, magazine cover and forum materials all bore the image of a peacock feather  which is why they are in the floral arrangement (a take home centerpiece from the banquet) and the feather I'm holding in the picture below. All in all, it was GREAT day!

Tulsa Hosting National Women in Communications Conference

The 2011 national conference of the Association for Women in Communications is going to be held October 13-15 at the DoubleTree at Warren Place in Tulsa. That's a great coup for Tulsa and I know participants will enjoy their time in Oklahoma. 

World Neighbor's "Work of Women" to be Honored October 4

At their 31st annual Woman of the Year Gala on October 6, The Journal Record is also honoring five Oklahoma nonprofits that benefit women. One of the five honorees this year is World Neighbor's Work of Women! (WOW!).

Members of the WOW! program are committed to improving women's lives in poor, rural villages throughout the world. By joining together in this work, their efforts are multiplied and truly create change.

In keeping with World Neighbors approach, members partner with women in World Neighbors program sites to support collective work that builds skills, community trust and better living conditions. Women are encouraged and supported to join together for development work that moves them beyond subsistence, improves their and their families' health and inspires increased participation and leadership in their villages and beyond. Involvement with this work changes our lives as well.

WOW! members join this effort by donating $35 ($25 for students) or more per year to WOW! at World Neighbors. Membership is spread throughout the world, but WOW! members are predominately girls and women living in the U.S. of all ages, backgrounds, races and religions.

Suited For Success to be Honored Oct 6

At the Woman of the Year Gala on October 6 in Oklahoma City, The Journal Record will honor five outstanding nonprofits that benefit Oklahoma Women.

One of the five organizations to be honored is Suited For Success. This nonprofit provides professional clothing and career development services to low-income women who have completed a job training or job readiness program and are actively seeking employment.

They strive to empower clients to successfully obtain and maintain employment thus ensuring their economic independence. These services are available at no charge. Clients are referred by a number of social service agencies and job readiness programs in Central Oklahoma. Clients range in age from 18 to 65; many entering the job market for the first time. 95% are single mothers, many of whom have been abused, and many come from area shelters. They recently opened their doors to those coming out of prison, too. Almost all of the clients report incomes of less than $10,000. Suited For Success is the only organization in the central Oklahoma region providing these services.

Journal Record to Honor "Stand In The Gap" Oct 6

This year, The Journal Record is adding a new feature to their Woman of the Year Gala on October 6. They are honoring five nonprofits benefiting Oklahoma women. One of the honorees is Stand In The Gap.


This nonprofit encourages and trains churches to equip their members to reach out to... Stand in the Gap. They are located at 3939 S. Harvard, Ste. 120 in Tulsa, OK. The organization was founded in 1997 by three businessmen wanting to help individuals in poverty. 


In early 2007, they launched the "Women in Transition" project which prepares women in Oklahoma prisons for their release to the community, and in some cases forming Stand in the Gap™ ‘families’ to support them long term following their release. They have launched a pilot program with Prison Fellowship International using their method as part of a holistic continuum of support for prisoners re-entering society. Additional partnerships and programs include the Catholic Diocese of Eastern Oklahoma, the David L. Moss Tulsa County Jail, DaySpring Villa Shelter for Battered and Abused Women, the Tulsa Boys Home & The Bair Foundation, Boys and Girls Town of Missouri & the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home and Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.

Okie Woman Kelli O'Hara Booked for Broadway

Elk City native Kelli O'Hara is set to star in the new Broadway play "Nice Work If You Can Get It" opposite Matthew Broderick. O'Hara has been nominated for a Tony Award three times. A graduate of Deer Creek schools and Oklahoma City University, she is also a singer; her second album, "Always," was released last 

May. Read more at http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/kelli-ohara-will-star-opposite-matthew-broderick-in-nice-work-if-you-can-get-it/

20 Tulsa "Women of Distinction" Honored Today

Congratulations to all the women honored by the Tulsa Business Journal as "2011 Women of Distinction" at a luncheon today at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa. Honorees are:


Kelli Bailey, executive partner and president of GiANT Partners;
Billie Barnett, director of the Barnett Family Foundation;
Felicia Collins Correia, CEO of YWCA Tulsa;
Paula Bryant-Ellis, senior vice president of BOK Financial Corp.;
Nancy Feldman, community activist and co-founder of the Tulsa Global Alliance;
Lynn Flinn, president and managing partner of The Rowland Group of Staffing Cos.;
Becky Frank, chairman and CEO of Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR;
Peggy Helmerich, philanthropist;
Roxane Jolley, senior manager of marketing at Cherokee Nation Entertainment;
Karen Keith, Tulsa County commissioner for District 2;
Gail Lapidus, CEO of Family & Children’s Services;
Moscelyne Larkin, co-founder of the Tulsa Ballet;
Kara Gae Neal, superintendent of Tulsa Technology Center;
Lori Pumphrey, vice president of finance for U.S. Beef Corp.;
Rose Washington Rentie, executive director of the Tulsa Economic Development Corp.;
Kelly Jo Rickman, director of sales for Post Oak Lodge;
Mary Smith, director of the aerospace division for SpiritBank;
Jan Slater, CEO of the Oklahoma State University Medical Center;
Kathy Taylor, attorney with McAfee & Taft; and
Wendy Thomas, executive director of Leadership Tulsa.

Okie Woman Valerie Naifeh Sells Jewelry on Shop NBC

Oklahoman Valerie Naifeh recently debuted her jewelry on the home shopping network Shop NBC. This Tulsa native started her business in 1993 and initially sold out of Samuel Gordon Jewelers. She set up her own business, Naifeh Fine Jewelry, in 1998. Naifeh is a graduate of Tulsa University and now has her own store in Casady Square in Oklahoma City. You can follow her on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/#!/Valerienaifeh or on Facebook. She also blogs at http://naifehfinejewelry.blogspot.com/.

Journal Record To Honor Shelia O. Lee

Shelia O. Lee will be honored posthumously at the Journal Record's 31st Woman of the Year gala. The former Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, Lee was a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XVII. She was a victim earlier this year in a tragic murder-suicide incident. 

Is Oklahoma Becoming a Granny State?

Over the past few decades, grandparents have more and more filled in for absent parents, incarcerated parents, and parents with an addiction. They have also been called upon to pay for life's extras, provide babysitting, etc. Today 8% of all children in the United States live with grandparents which is the largest number in 40 years.

Source. Yen, Hope. Grandparents' roll with children grows. August 26, 2011, NewsOK 

Oklahoma Artist Jean Ann Fausser Exhibits at State Capitol

The work of Tulsa artist Jean Ann Fausser is currently on display at the Oklahoma State Capital in Oklahoma City. Entitled "Roots and Connections," the show involves fiber work, sculpture, and quilt work. Words can't do it justice. If you are in the Oklahoma City area, swing by the State Capital and see for yourself. This exhibit is sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council.  

FaithLinks Hosting Oct Grandparent Conferences

The Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Faithlinks) will host a  "Being a GRANDfamily" conference for grandparents raising grand-children. This event will be offered in Ardmore (Oct 7), Oklahoma City (Oct 12),  and Ponca City (Oct 28).  Watch for more details coming from  Faithlinks at http://www.faithlinksok.org/FeaturedEvents.htm

Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women

One in 30 women's deaths in 2007 in the US was from breast cancer while 1 in 3 was from cardiovascular disease. But way too little research focuses specifically on women - especially minority women. 

Research does show that heart disease presents itself differently in women. What issues are unique to women? Microvascular disease is more common in women as is high blood pressure, diabetes or related complications during pregnancy. Two-thirds of women who die suddenly of heart disease report no previous symptoms. Women experience chest pains... but can also experience shortness of breath, nausea, and/or pain in the back or jaw during a heart attack.

Source. Women's Health Research and womensheart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

Okie Woman Blogger: Britt Greenwood & Tulsa Art Spot

It has been a while since I added a new blog to my Oklahoma Women bloggers list so I appreciate Britt Greenwood for telling me about hers.  Check out the Tulsa Art Spot blog which is dedicated to current and upcoming Tulsa area artists. It is new. It is beautiful. And it is going to be fun to monitor!  http://tulsaartspot.com/

Household Changes in Oklahoma

Paul Monies with The Oklahoman did a great article on July 14, 2011 on the changing face of state households. A followup article on July 17 added even more detail. Here are some snippets from these articles:

~ Out of 1.46 million households in Oklahoma, 722,435 were husband-and-wife households in 2010.
But the share of husband-and-wife households fell to 49.5 percent. That's down from 53.5 percent in 2000.

~ At 168,633, single-parent households grew by 18.7 percent since 2000. The majority of those households still are made up of single mothers, but single-father households jumped by 40 percent in the last decade. That compared to single-mother households, which grew by 12 percent.

~ The number of households with unmarried partners increased by 63 percent in the past decade from 53,307 to 86,694 (i.e., from 3.9 percent in 2000 to 5.9 percent of all households in 2010).

~Most of the unmarried-partner households in Oklahoma were male and female, but about 9,800 were same-sex couples in 2010. This represented an increase of 70 percent from 2000. Same-sex households make up a small part, 0.67 percent, of all households in Oklahoma.

~ More than 79,580 children were living with a grandparent last year. The census did not ask that question in 2000. Earlier estimates from the Census' American Community Survey put the figure at 75,000.

~ The number of households made up of men living alone rose to 12.5 percent in 2010, up from 11.4 percent in 2000. Female-alone households fell slightly to 14.9 percent in 2010.

~ Married couples with no children at home accounted for 28.1 percent of households in 2010, up 6 percent.

Read the July 14 article at http://newsok.com/census-2010-south-and-central-americans-help-boost-hispanic-population-in-oklahoma/article/3585489 and the July 17 article at http://newsok.com/census-2010-the-changing-face-of-oklahomas-families/article/3586521

Causes of Homelessness in Oklahoma

According to the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City, the leading causes of homelessness in Oklahoma are poverty, lack of affordable housing, unemployment or underemployment, physical or mental disability, substance abuse, and domestic violence. The Homeless Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the system of care for the homeless in Oklahoma City through collaboration with government, faith-based and nonprofit service providers, city government, and local businesses. The ultimate goal of the Homeless Alliance is to rally the community to end long-term homelessness in Oklahoma City by both preventing homeless and increasing the supply of affordable and permanent supportive housing to move those who are currently homeless back into housing. For more information about the Homeless Alliance, see www.homelessalliance.org.

Free African American Women’s Health Forum, OKC, Sat, Sept 17

INTEGRIS Health, The Links Incorporated, and the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City will present the fifth annual African American Women’s Health Forum, Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the Cox Convention Center, One Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Admission is FREE,  however space is limited so reservations are required and on a first-come; first-served basis. Women may register by calling the INTEGRIS Health Line at (405) 951-2277.

Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m. with the forum immediately following at 9 a.m. In 2010, more than 1,200 African American women attended this event to learn how to live healthier and more productive lives. Featured keynote speakers are Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter, co-directors of the Gaston and Porter Health Improvement Center and co-authors of Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness. Dr. Gaston’s and Dr. Porter’s mission is to revolutionize the way women think, feel and act about prioritizing their physical and emotional health and wellness. They will educate and motivate women to make lifestyle changes; such as managing stress, improving nutrition and increasing physical activity. There is also a popular Ask the Doctor session. 

Other participating organizations include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated—Upsilon Eta Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Eagle Ridge Institute, the Faith-Based Healthy Community Collaborative, National Institutes of Health—Office of Research on Women’s Health, Oklahoma Society of the National Medical Association, and the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition. African American women from all walks of life are invited to attend.

OkieWoman Debbie Schramm Named Saxum President

Oklahoma public relations and marketing firm Saxum recently promoted Debbie Schramm to President. She previously served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Congratulations, Debbie. Saxum is based in Oklahoma City and also has an office in Tulsa.

See http://www.saxum.com/news/saxum-names-debbie-schramm-president/

Five "Programs Making a Difference" to Be Honored Oct 6

On October 6, not only will The Journal Record name the 2011 Oklahoma Woman of the Year. They will  also honor five "Programs Making a Difference" in Oklahoma. This year's honorees are: Stand In the Gap Ministries; Suited for Success; Women's Leadership Initiative; Work of Women; and YWCA of Oklahoma City.