Congratulations Kelly Dyer Fry on NewsOK.com's Recognition

The Southern Newspaper Publishers Association recently recognized NewsOk.com as the "Best Website" in the category of newspapers with over 50,000 circulation.

Today Kelly Dyer Fry is vice president of news and information for OPUBCO Communications Group and also General manager of NewsOk.com. But before that she was director of multimedia at The Oklahoman and before that she was general manager of NewsOK.com. So her finger prints are all over the website and she most certainly deserves congratulations for this honor!

Talking about Blogging at SNU in Bethany,OK

Hi, Class!!

OG& E Offers Free Weatherization Program for Seniors

Know someone with a a drafty house? OG&E has announced a Free Home Weatherization Program for Seniors (65 and older) earning less than $35,000 annually (see Qualifications below). Some typical improvements include the following:

Insulation; attic, floor, and wall
Window Sealing
Weather-stripping
Maintenance of HVAC
Hot water tank check-up
Thermostat settings
Lighting efficiency
Sealing the exterior siding

To find out about participating, contact OG&E Customer Service at 272-9741 (metro Oklahoma City area customers) or 1-800-272-9741 (all others)

Qualifying household income: $35,000 or below
Age 65 and older
OG+E customer
Own the home being weatherized
Resided in the home for a minimum of one year
Home built prior to 2000 (no mobile homes)

The rest of us are qualified to receive a free Custom Energy Report for our home. Just click on HERE, enter your OG&E account number and answer a few questions about your home. You’ll receive — both online and by mail — an energy use audit customized specifically for your home, with recommendations that can help conserve even more.

Spread the word!

Image from

Mary Fallin, Jari Askins and Motherhood (Oh My)

OMG.I woke up this morning to find Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Jari Askins on ABC's Good Morning America show. I didn't realize the "I'm a mother" argument put forward by Mary Fallin during the first televised debate was getting so much play. You can read about Jari's appearance on ABC's Good Morning American show at "Okla. Governor Candidates Debate Marital Status, Parenting Experience; Democrat Jari Askins Says Motherhood Not Prerequisite for Oklahoma Governor.

Good grief. With all the problems confronting our state at the moment, do we really want to spend our precious time debating whether having given birth is appropriate criteria for whether one makes a better governor? I'd rather vote for the one who is steady and tough and wicked smart and strong under fire but also has great skills at building consensus. The rest of the country must think Oklahoma voters are pretty silly (if not outright stupid).

I might feel different if Fallin had said, "I'd make a good Oklahoma governor because I have been a single mother so I can relate to Oklahoma's 166,028 single mothers (or the 119,463 single mothers with children under 18 in Oklahoma or the 43% of those who live below the poverty line in Oklahoma). They are struggling to care for their children during these tough times and deserve the attention of the gubernatorial candidates.

FYI, the final televised Oklahoma gubernatorial debate will be aired on Channel 3 (OKC) and possibly C-span at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday night (set the DVR!).  Also there will be a rally for Jari Askins tomorrow, October 26th, where she will be speaking. It will be at the Tulsa Historical Society at 6:00 p.m.

Okie Women Blog Roundup 10/23/2010

Reading blogs by Oklahoma women and thought I'd share some with you:

Chara Watson (A Storyteller's Journey) describes herself as "a wife, storyteller, and mother, on a journey through life. This blog is a description of that journey over the hills and through the valleys." She is currently working her way through a month's worth of pretty personal questions. Like a habit you wish you didn't have... and what makes you different from everyone else. I am way to shy to answer most of the questions myself so my hat is off to her!

Nadine Hightower (All Along The Hightower) reports that her laptop is in the shop so she is taking a break. Sounds divine. I can't use that excuse as have two laptops and a desktop - none of which like much; they were "the cheapest I could get away with." I'd love to sell them all and buy a MacBook Pro but I think I am too old to make the transition from using a PC to using an Apple product. Nadine is one wild woman. Her blog makes me blush -- and laugh out loud. (For starters, her url is http://velvettush.blogspot.com/!)

Melessa Gregg (But I Digress...) is a mother of five who two months ago went back to work full time at a wonderful museum in OKC. It exhausts me just thinking about her work load! We both watch the TV series  The Big Bang Theory. I'm sort of a low brow version of Sheldon Cooper (I have all the social awkwardness and obsessive compulsive behavior without the 187 IQ). Whenever I want to cheer myself up, I sing the show's theme song which ends, "Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries that all started with the big bang... BANG!" after which  my sweert husband calls out from his study, "Did you say something, dear?"

Elizabeth M. Crumpler (Miss Wisabus) is getting into genealogy. I have great respect for people who do that (my father got into it big time and ended up getting a PhD in history!) but it is not my cup of tea. This gal is a serious reader, too. And a good photographer!

Authored by "Territory Mom," OklaHome does Oklahoma trivia contests. She is currently running a contest on Oklahoma actresses. And there are prizes!

Sherri Cornelius (Sherri Blossoms) grew up in Oklahoma and is a writer. She has a closed Twitter account (so I don't/can't follow her) and TWO Facebook pages - I'm impressed. She is worried a little about whether her blog could work against her career. You are not the only one who has pondered that issue, Sherri!

The Prairie Maid  raises kids, chickens, dairy goats, horses plus dogs, cats, and a pig! She just posted about a Michelle Palmer Giveaway and I sure wouldn't mind winning the drawing. You can enter the contest by leaving a comment on Michelle's blog before Oct 25 at http://michellepalmerart.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway-time.html.

And finally, Cello Girl writes The Icechic blog and although she describes herself as liking "drawn-out romantic dinners, red wine, jazz in late-night clubs, and dressing up" she also enjoys kayaking and camping. She does appreciate a flush toilet though. :-)

TAP: A Project to Increase the Number of Oklahoma Women in Public Service

Help us get more Oklahoma women in public service.

THE APPOINTMENTS PROJECT (TAP) is identifying and encouraging Oklahoma women to apply for appointments to statewide boards and commissions.

TAP is a non-partisan effort to help Oklahoma women reach parity through appointment to statewide boards and commissions. You are invited to submit your application today. The application form is at goo.gl/Vnqm. Or load a QR Code reader app on your cell phone (like QuickMark or NeoReader), open it and scan the image on the right and it will take you to the website page!

Both women candidates for Oklahoma governor -- Jari Askins and Mary Fallin -- are on board to make sure that, when elected our governor-elect, there will be the most talented pool of women from across the state, from all backgrounds and all parties to consider for appointment.

TAP is a project of the Women's Leadership Initiative at OU with partners including the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition and the YWCA of Oklahoma City. For more information, contact Sheryl Lovelady with Women's Leadership Initiative, University of Oklahoma, 630 Parrington Oval, Room 101, Norman, OK 73019; 405-325-6372.

The TAP application is straightforward and the site also contains the current list of state boards and commissions. Apply online. Apply today. Tell your friends.

OKLAHOMA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATS (10/2010)

Here are some up-to-date statistics about domestic violence in Oklahoma:

Domestic Violence Information and Statistics:

· Oklahoma is 15th in the nation for the number of women killed by men.

· Oklahoma had more than 100 domestic violence related fatalities last year.

· 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence.

· Up to 70% of domestic violence perpetrators will also abuse the child in the home.

· Nearly 75% (¾) of women in prison in Oklahoma have a history of domestic or sexual violence.

Affects of Domestic Violence on Children:

· Children who have been exposed to violence in the home are more likely to have developmental delays.

· These children are also less likely to finish high school.

· Children from homes with domestic violence are more likely to:

    o Become sexually active at an earlier age;

    o Be involved in drugs and alcohol;

    o Be abusive in their dating relationships.

Source. YWCA of Oklahoma City, October 12, 2010

Journal Record's Woman of the Year YouTube Video

The Journal Record has posted a very nice video on YouTube that gives the highlights of their Woman of the Year Banquet last Friday in Oklahoma City.
Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/user/JournalRecord#p/u/8/sqVxoY-ARNk

Blog World Sessions, Oct 14, 2010

Blog World & New Media Expo 2010 started with a keynote address by Scott Stratten, author of UnMarketing: Stop Marketing, Start Engaging. Funny, energetic, insightful - a great starter.

Then I attended workshops on: Creating Killer Content; Finding Readers for Your Blog; Building Community On Your Blog; and Using Social Media as a Small Business. The last session featured Ramon De Leon of Chicago and he was GREAT! To get a taste of his style, see vimeo.com/dominospizzachicago/.

My favorite spot between sessions because it features free coffee and snacks plus electric power boxes for recharging phones, laptops, cameras, etc is the Lounge (see pic).

The keynote address in the afternoon was Brian Solis interviewing Emmy Award winning producer Mark Burnett . The session was labeled "Convergence of Media and the Future of Unscripted Drama on the Web." I'm not a huge fan of reality tv but you gotta respect a guy who has produced Survivor (which was inspired by the book Lord of the Flies), The Apprentice, Are You Sarter Than a 5th Grader? and Sarah Pallin's ALaska! Plus he gets social media and the power of crowd sourcing live.  His best take-away insight:

Most innovators don’t know if their great idea is going to work when they begin. Believe in yourself.  Just do it. Take the risk.

Consumer Queen is from Edmond, OK

What are the odds? I go to the first session on the first day of Blog World  and New Media Expo 2010 in Las Vegas today and introduce myself to the person to my right - - - and he turns out to be from Edmond, OK.

 Here I am with Daniel Garcia. His wife, Melissa Garcia, is Consumer Queen.com (printable coupons, product reviews by expert moms, company sponsored giveaways, sales information for your local area and more).

A Great Weekend of Futzing With Family

I really "took off" this weekend and just played with family. My younger step-daughter, Margy, came from Austin, TX to attend the Woman of the Year banquet Friday night with her older sister, Adena,  my amazing husband, Larkin and me. We were joined by friends Lindsay LaFevers Archer and Debbie Yoeckel. It was a fun night and a relaxed weekend of getting caught up on family news and just futzing around.

Now I just face a mountain of emails to answer, mail to respond to, a couple quick projects to get done, a video interview,  3-hour Bible Study class, and packing before I take off for blog World 2010 in Las Vegas!! Yikes.

Cindy Simon Rosenthal selected 2010 Woman of the Year

Tonight Cindy Simon Rosenthal was selected the Journal Record's 2010 Woman of the Year.Rosenthal is Mayor of Norman, OK and Director of the Carl Albert Center at the University of Oklahoma. You can view her faculty bio here.

Congratulations, Cindy!!!!! (Click on images to enlarge.)

It was great to see so many Okahoma Women's Coalition board members there tonight and to see the YWCA of OK City, Girl Scouts of Western OK, Resonance of Tulsa, the N.E.W. Leadership program and Parent Child Center of Tulsa recognized as Programs Making a Difference.

Congrats OSU Students Joshua Cole, Kyle Richardson, Melyssa Gilbert, Kristin Shepherd

With Larkin at OSU Spears School of Business Scholarship Banquet last August 29th.  Picture take with Larry Crosby, Dean of the OSU Spears School of Business, and recipients of this year's Larkin B. Warner Endowment Scholarships - Joshua Cole, Kyle Richardson, Melyssa Gilbert and Kristin Shepherd.

The OSU Spears School of Business awarded 346 scholarships totalling $607,237 this year. : - )                                                                                                                                                              

US House Supports Oct as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On September 28, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution supporting October as National Domestic Violence Month (H. Res. 1637).

You can read Women's Policy, Inc's account here and the full bill text  here.

Women Running for Oklahoma Senate in 2010

There are 48 members (districts) in the Oklahoma State Senate. Senators serve 4-year, staggered terms. This year 24 Senate districts (the even numbered districts) are on the ballot.

Currently there are 5 women Senators (10.4% of the Senate). Seats filled by Judy Eason McIntyre (D-District 11) and Susan Paddack (D-District 13) are NOT on the ballot this year but seats filled by Mary Easley (D-District 18), Debbe Leftwich (D-Districk 44) and Constance N. Johnson (D-District 48) are on the ballot this year. However Senator Easley can't run for re-election because of term limits and Senator Leftwich chose not to run for re-election so those seats are "open" this year.

Seven incumbent Senators -- all men -- did not draw an opponent (in one case the challenger withdrew). Thus they were "re-elected" to the State Senate and didn't have to run for their seat.

At the July Primary Election stage, five incumbent Senators -- four Republican men and one Democrat woman -- won re-election to the Senate. The one woman was:

Connie Johnson (Democrat re-elected to Senate District 48)

At the August Run-off Election stage, no Senate candidates were elected to office.

In the November General Election, there will be 12 Senate seats to be resolved. Three of those seats have women on the ballot. They are:

Janica Edmonds (Republican running for Senate District 8)
Sharon Parker (Republican running for Senate District 16)
Janice Aldridge (Democrat running for Senate District 18)
Kim David (Republican running for Senate District 18)

In addition, 4 other women ran for the Oklahoma State Senate this year but were either defeated in the primary or withdrew from the race. They are:

Donna Spring (ran as a Democrat for Senate District 14 - defeated)
Susan Hardy Brooks (ran as a Democrat for Senate District 24 - withdrew)
Linda Molsbee (ran as a Republican for Senate District 24 - defeated)
Liz Donnelly (ran as a Democrat for Senate District 40 - withdrew)

Thus, 9 women chose to run for the Oklahoma State Senate in 2010.

NOTE: If you note errors in the above data, please let me know by leaving me a COMMENT (below) or email me (see my Blogger profile for my email address). If I used a State Legislature website for someone but they also have a campaign website, let me know what that URL is please! Thanks.

Women Running for Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010

There are 101 members (districts) in Oklahoma's State House of Representatives. Representatives serve 2-year terms. Every Representative stands for re-election on even numbered years so all 101 seats are on the ballot in 2010.

Currently there are 12 women Representatives (11.88% of the Oklahoma House of Representatives).

Forty-seven incumbent Representatives -- 7 women and 40 men - did not draw an opponent. Thus they were "re-elected" to the State House of Representatives and didn't have to run for their seat. The 7 women are:

Lee Denney (Republican re-elected to House District 33)
Marian Cooksey (Republican re-elected to House District 39)
Lisa Billy (Republican re-elected to House District 42)
Leslie Osborn (Republican re-elected to House District 47)
Pam Peterson (Republican re-elected to House District 67)
Rebecca Hamilton (Democrat re-elected to House District 89)
Anastasia Pittman (Democrat re-elected to House District 99)

At the July Primary Election stage, no women but 5 men (4 of them incumbents) won re-election to the Oklahoma House.

At the August Run-off Election stage, two House candidates -- one man and one woman -- were elected to the House. The woman is:

Elise Hall (Republican elected to House District 100)

In the November General Election, there will be 47 House seats to be resolved. Thirteen of those seats have women on the ballot. They are:

Sue Tibbs (Republican incumbent running for House District 23)
Skye McNiel (Republican incumbent running for House District 29)
Donna Marie Vogelpohl (Democrat running for House District 30)
Emily Virgin (Democrat running for House District 44)
Amy Corley (Democrat running for House District 53)
Maya Torralba (Democrat running for House District 56)
Ann Coody (Republican incumbent running for House District 64)
Jadine Nollan (Republican running for House District 66)
Jeannie McDaniel (Democrat incumbent running for House District 78)
Molly McKay (Republican running for House District 78)
Brittany Novotny (Democrat running for House District84 )
Sally Kern (Republican incumbent running for House District 84)
Gail Vines (Democrat running for House District 85)
Dana Orwig (Democrat running for House District 87)
Wanda Jo Peltier (Democrat running for House District 93)

In addition, 5 other women ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives this year but were either defeated in the primary or withdrew from the race. They are:

Traci Barnes (ran as a Democrat for House District 3 - disqualified)
Anne Goolsby (ran as a Democrat for House District 15 - defeated)
Carol McNeil Hill (ran as a Democrat for House District 18 - defeated)
Melani Hamilton (ran as a Democrat for House District 66 - withdrew)
Zana Williams (ran as a Republican for House District 94 - defeated)

Thus, 28 women chose to run for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives in 2010.

NOTE: If you note errors in the above data, please let me know by leaving me a COMMENT (below) or email me (see my Blogger profile for my email address).  If I used a State Legislature website for someone but they also have a campaign website, let me know what that URL is please!  Thanks.

How Best to Address Dating Violence in Oklahoma

Young people and their parents often "don't know what they don't know" about the high level of dating violence that is occurring among students in their own schools.

Mollie, a certified teacher and retired BA Intermediate School educator, is committed to teaching students how to prevent becoming a victim of intimate partner violence. Her program , "Dating: Right from the Start", co-presented with survivors of teen dating violence, leaves young folks aware and prepared to help themselves and their friends if they find themselves in a dangerous relationship.

F.A.C.E.S. (Families and Communities Empowered for Safety) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants you and your children and students to know. Mollie wants to teach students at Tulsa area schools. Contact her at faces.sherry@gmail.com.

Source. F.A.C.E.S. Facebook Post 

Do you know of other good programs that address dating violence in Oklahoma? If so, share with us by clicking on COMMENT below. Thanks!

October 8 is Journal Record Woman of the Year 2010 Banquet

This is the 30th year for The Journal Record's "Woman of the Year" program.

First, they name "Fifty Making A Difference" - then, from that group announce the woman of the year.

So here is the list of the 50 Making a Difference.

I'll tell you more as the big event approaches since, this year, I'm greatly honored one of the 50!
:-)
• Carol Ringrose Alexander, Retirement Investment Advisors, Oklahoma City.

• Alison Anthony, Williams Companies Inc., Tulsa.
• Pamela Huddleston Bickford, Cherokee Data Solutions, Claremore.
• Mary Clare Buthod, Stand In The Gap, Tulsa.
• Victoria Caldwell, Re/Max Associates, Edmond.
• Andrea Chancellor, PSO, Tulsa.
• Janet Cunningham, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva.
• Renée DeMoss, GableGotwals, Tulsa.
• Lori Dickinson, Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma City.
• Deena Fisher, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Woodward.
• Debby Hampton, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Oklahoma City.
• Sarah Hansel, Hall Estill, Tulsa.
• Darcie Harris, EWF International, Oklahoma City.
• Cheryl Hill, Hill Manufacturing Inc., Broken Arrow.
• Nancy Hyde, Hyde & Company CPA’s PC, Oklahoma City.
• Sherrel Jones, Just Delish!, Enid.
• Karen Keith, Tulsa County Courthouse, Tulsa.
• Judy Love, Judy Love Specialties, Oklahoma City.
• Kimberly Lowe, K Lowe Creative, Oklahoma City.
• Pat Marshall, American Cancer Society, Oklahoma City.
• Connie Mashburn, Connie Mashburn Interior Designs/Mashburn Enterprises, Oklahoma City.
• Jacqueline Miller, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma City.
• Teresa Moisant, Moisant Promotional Products, Oklahoma City.
• Cristy Morrison, Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau, Stillwater.
• Laura Moxley, Moxley & Associates LLC, Norman.
• Kim Neese, Terry Neese Personnel, Oklahoma City.
• Paris, Bank of Oklahoma, Tulsa.
• Sandra Payne, SSM Health Care of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.
• Jo Ann Pearce, A Chance to Change Foundation, Oklahoma City.
• Cindy Simon Rosenthal, City of Norman, Norman.
• Kris Rush, Oklahoma Prosperity Project/Grassroots Consulting LLC, Oklahoma City.
• Barbara Schwarz, Oklahoma Project Woman Inc., Tulsa.
• Susan Shields, McAfee & Taft, Oklahoma City.
• Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma City.
• Michelle Skeens, Holden & Carr, Tulsa.
• Mary Smith, SpiritBank, Tulsa.
• Georgianne Snowden, Radiology Associates Inc., Oklahoma City.
• Debbie Spaeth, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma City.
• Cathy Stackpole, Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.
• Carolyn Stager, Oklahoma Municipal League, Oklahoma City.
• JaRee Stambeck, Ideal Homes of Norman LP, Norman.
• G. Gail Stricklin, private practice attorney, Oklahoma City.
• Robyn Sunday-Allen, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Oklahoma City.
• Becky Switzer, Switzer Talent Agency, Norman.
• Molly Tolbert, Crowe & Dunlevy, Oklahoma City.
• Voss, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City.
• Jean Warner, Oklahoma Women’s Coalition, Oklahoma City.
• Angela West, CB Richard Ellis-Oklahoma, Tulsa.
• Lauren White, NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.
• Kathy Williams, community volunteer, Oklahoma City.