Gov Henry has appointed Terri White as his Secretary of Health

The Oklahoma Governor has a Cabinet. Recently Gov Brad Henry's appointee as Secretary of Health, Mike Crutcher, announced he was retiring - leaving that post empty. Today Gov Henry announced who will fill that post -- Terri White, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, will now also carry the title 9and job responsibilities) or Secretary of Health. Congratulations Commissioner White. She is the first woman to hold this position since the cabinet structure was established in the 1980's. Click here to read the full press release and Terri's bio. Besides being a great accomplishment for an Oklahoma woman, this may bode well for Oklahoma's future. Mental health has played third string in Oklahoma for way too long. Solve the mental health problems in our state and you can make a big improvement in corrections and education and other areas where we also lag behind. Maybe, by lifting up the Commissioner of Mental Health to Cabinet status, it means Henry will also direct more attention and funding towards mental health in Oklahoma. So, a double "Hurray!"

Jill Tarbel Remembered

Remarkable Oklahoma advocate for the disabled, Tulsan Jill Tarbel is being remembered by her friends as "daunting," "fierce in a good way" and more in this article from the Tulsa World Jan 28, 2009.

Oklahoma Magazine Interviews Tulsa YWCA's Felicia Collins Correia

The February edition of Oklahoma Magazine is out and it includes a nice interview with Felicia Collins-Correia, CEO of YWCA Tulsa. The Y's mission is "Ending Racism and Empowering A Women." In an article entitled "Moving Beyond Color Lines," Corria, who is on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition, talks about the Tulsa race riots and, as an African American, reflects on the significance of President Barack Obama's election. You can view the digital version of the magazine by clicking here (Felicia's article is on pages 7-8).

Women's Coalition - 1st Advocacy Day at the Capitol 2-18-2008

Did you know Oklahoma has been ranked the 3rd worst state for women?? We rank #1 in Incarcerated Women, #1 in Child Abuse, #1 in the Divorce Rate, #7 in Teen Births, #42 in overall women's health, #45 in women in professional jobs. The list goes on and on.

The newly formed, non-partisan Oklahoma Women's Coalition is out to change these statistics. Please join us for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! on February 18 at the State Capitol as we make history for Oklahoma women and girls.

The day will begin with a press conference to officially launch the Coalition, followed by sessions where state leaders will provide updates on key issues and legislation affecting women and girls. We will also learn effective advocacy techniques to have our voices heard.

To download a registration form for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! just click HERE. Seating is limited, so send in your registration as soon as possible.

Whether or not you are able attend the Advocacy Day in February, I urge you to become a member of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition now. Together, we can create significant change for Oklahoma women and girls! To download the Membership Application Form, just click HERE.

Like the Oklahoma Women's Coalition's New Logo?

How do you like the Oklahoma Women's Coalition's new logo?

Actually, I hope you LOVE IT because we have agonized over this for months and I'm quite tickled with what the Communications Committee settled on. I think it is whimsical.

What do you think?

Oklahoma's Daisy Blackbird at 106 & Kristin Chenoweth

Click HERE to view The Oklahoman's article on Daisy Blackbird who is 106 years old. And click HERE to read their article on how opera bound Oklahoman Kristin Chenoweth's career accidentally got sidetracked - leading her into stardom on Broadway, in movies and on TV!

OSU's Oral History Research Program Interviews Oklahoma's Women Legislators

Oklahoma State University has an oral history program which operates out of the Edmond Lowe Library. One initiative records the voices of the women inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame which is hosted by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. Project leader here is Juliana Nykolaiszyn.

Another effort is their "Remembering Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel: Poet and Dust Bowl Emigrant" project. Here prreservation of materials, historical documents and oral memories focus on Oklahoma poet Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. Project leader on this effort is Karen Neurohr.

Not surprisingly, the project I get most excited about is OSU's oral history of the "Women of the Oklahoma Legislature." Here OSU is chronicling the lives of the women who served in the Oklahoma House and Senate. It records their memories plus holds historical documents of these extraordinary women past and present. This project is lead by Tanya Finchum.

The image in the post comes out of that effort. Hope they get more information up on the Internet so we can know more on this project (or maybe it is there and I can't find it). :-)

Here is a list of all women who have served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. (Anyone know of a similar list for all women who have served in the Oklahoma State Senate?)

Oklahoma Magazine's January Issue Features Oklahoma Women

Oklahoma Magazine always focuses on brides and weddings in their January issue (2009 is the 12th annual Oklahoma Wedding issue) but there is lots more packed into this issue as well.

There is a story on world renowned wildlife artist Jan Martin McGuire - considered by many to be among the nation's top wildlife artists. She was born and raised in Colorado but now calls Bartlesville, Oklahoma home.

And an article on native Oklahoman Chryssee Martin who serves as an honorary warden of the Kenya Wildlife Services Animal Orphanage. She is author of several books including On A Road in Africa (with Kim Doner).

Plus a piece on OU basketball coach Sherri Coale.

And a profile on Sherry Capps and Laurie Hearon, the mother/daughter team who own True To You Bra Salon, where you can get a perfect fit (in London Square South Shopping Center in Tulsa).

But the feature article I loved was the 4-page spread on Oklahoma's music legend Wanda Jackson - who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this April.

You may need to give Oklahoma Magazine a few more days to get their January magazine up online. I picked up a copy in the lobby of the Oklahoma City Art Museum. See if it is up yet by clicking here: http://www.okmag.com/currentissue/index.cfm.

Traci Martin to Exhibit at State Capitol

eCapitol News reports that Ardmore artist Traci Martin's exhibit, A Meditation On/Through Colour, will be on display in the first floor of the North Gallery at the State Capitol from January 19 through March 22. Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the North Gallery is devoted to Oklahoma's finest photographers and is open daily from 8:30-5:00. Originally from Oregon, Martin has lived in the Ardmore area for about 12 years. She graduated in 2005 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology, with an emphasis in Art Therapy.

Oklahoma's Wanda Jackson to be Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Great news! Oklahoma rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in April. Yippee. well deserved and long overdue! Read Tulsa World article about it here.

Tornado Alley Rollergirls take on breast cancer

The Tornado Alley Rollergirls worked with Judi Grove of Breast Impressions and local artists to create painted plaster busts of 10 of their skaters. They'll be auctioning them this Saturday during the half-time of their bout. The proceeds will go to SHOUT of OKC (http://www.shout-okc.org/) which is a support group for young women survivors of cancer.

Thank you, Sarah Hamby, aka the Outlaw Josey Whales, for the heads up!

To learn more about the Oklahoma City Rollerderby dba Tornado Alley Rollergirls CLICK HERE.

Dana Murphy Sworn In As Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner

Today Dana Murphy was sworn in as Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.

In a packed courtroom, surrounded by elected officials, family and well wishers, she actually took two pledges!

Jane Jayroe Gamble served as master of ceremony. Kim Swyden gave the invocation. Misty Farmer sang. The other two Corporation Commissioners, Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud, made welcoming remarks and recognized the many dignitaries present.

Justice Steven Taylor did the official swearing in after which Dana gave a wonderful talk. Everyone grinned and cheered and then we ate yellow and blue cookies! Congratulations, Dana!

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Oklahoman Carrie Underwood Winner at People's Choice Awards

Kuddos to Checotah, Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood. The People's Choice Awards lets Internet voters select their favorites in many categories. Underwood was the winner in the "Favorite Female Singer" category. In addition, fans selected her song "Last Name" to win the "Favorite Country Song" award this year. Way to go, Carrie! Oklahoma is so proud of you.

Jane Jenkins to Head Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

Let's all say, "Welcome!" to Jane Jenkins who is coming to Oklahoma City to head Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. She is currently director of the downtown program in Boulder, Colorado. Read more about Jane by clicking here. By the way, an upcoming event of theirs is Chocolate Decadence 2009 on Thursday, February 5th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at 825 N. Broadway in Automobile Alley.