Natalie Shirley New President of OSU-OKC

Wow. Civic and business leader Natalie Shirley has been selected to serve as the next president of Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.  See http://news.okstate.edu/press-releases/920-oklahoma-state-university-names-natalie-shirley-new-president-at-osu-oklahoma-city.  I am happy for Oklahoma to have another woman college president.

Oklahoma's Link to Victoria's Secret

Oklahoma has a connection to Victoria's Secret and it is Sharen Jester Turney, President and CEO of the company. She has a degree in business education from the University of Oklahoma.

In fact, she is speaking at OU today (click here to view the invitation)! According to Forbes, her annual salary is $1,250,000; hope President Boren asks her for a donation for the university. I'd appreciate it if she would earmark it for scholarships for low-income single mothers. Just a thought....

Small Business Administration Launches Women's Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration on February 4, 2011 launched a new women-owned "Small Business Federal Contract Program." This initiative allows set asides for women-owned businesses - 5% federal agencies' contracting dollars.  Questions? Contact REI Women's Business Center in Oklahoma City at (405) 319-8190. This program was 11 years in the making! It is finally launched. Women business owners, check it out.  Read more here. 

Teresa Moisant Honored By Her Peers

Need a promotional ... anything? Check out Oklahoma City based Moisant Promotional Products. This firm's  owner, Teresa Moisant, was recently named one of the top ten "Women to Watch" by the Advertising Speciality Institute. Moisant was recognized in 2009 by The Journal Record Publishing Company as one of "Fifty Women Making a Difference" in Oklahoma. Way to go, Teresa!

Gilcrease Museum Exhibit Celebrates Women

"A major exhibition celebrating the enduring spirit of Western women" is how The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa describes a temporary exhibIt underway entitled "Home Lands: How Women Made the West."

On display until May 15, 2011, this visiting exhibit focuses on New Mexico, Colorado and the Puget Sound and reflects the West's diversity as well as how women responded to and shaped their environment. To read more about the exhibit, CLICK HERE.

Image from http://www.legendsofamerica.com

OSU-Tulsa Gets a Center for Family Resiliency

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa has launched a Center for Family Resiliency. The Center has received a substantial grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to help with operation costs, to establish an endowed chair (for a scholar within the Center), and for preparation of a study on teen pregnancy. See http://www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu/news/details.asp?id=777

Black Caucus to Honor Mary Fallin, Vicki Miles LaGrange and Yvonne Hovell

On April 25, the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus is honoring three remarkable Oklahoma women. They are:

• Governor Mary Fallin, the first female governor in the State of Oklahoma
• The Honorable Vicki Miles LaGrange, the first African American woman to chair a United States Judicial District in Oklahoma and the first African American to be elected to the Oklahoma Senate;
• Yvonne Hovell, owner and general manager of Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Tulsa, who was the first female in the State of Oklahoma to own a dealership.

The 19th Biennial A. C. Hamlin Awards Banquet begins with a 6 p.m. reception followed by a 7 p.m. dinner at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 Northeast 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. Those wishing to attend should contact Rep Jabar Shumate’s office at (405) 557-7406 or jabarshumate@okhouse.gov for further information. Tickets, priced $50 apiece, must be purchased by Monday, April 18.

House Speaker Kris Steele Welcomes Oklahoma Women's Coalition to the Capitol

Upon arriving at the State Capitol, we assembled in The Blue Room to get our handout materials for our legislators and to hear House Speaker Kris Steele (above) discussed his efforts to reduce the rate at which Oklahoma incarcerates nonviolent offenders. We then proceeded to the gallery in the Senate chambers were we were recognized by the Senators. Then we scattered to visit with our elected officials. It was an educational, inspiring and fun day. I hope you will consider joining us next year!

Jari Askins Giving Advocacy Tips at OK Women's Coalition Event

Jari Askins shared tips on talking to our State Legislators before we headed over to the State Capitol to visit with our elected officials. We all had "Talking Points" and material to leave with our Senator and Representative encouraging them to vote YES on House Bill 2131. Introduced by House Speaker Kris Steele, the bill will:

• Expand eligibility for community sentencing programs and mandatory supervision
• Establish qualification requirements for Parole Board members
• Limit the Governor's role in the parole process for nonviolent offenders
• Expand eligibility for Oklahoma's existing Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring program
• Change deault sentencing to run concurrent instead of consecutive.

HB2131 has cleared the House ans is now in the Senate. Please take a minute to send your State Senator an email encouraging him or her to vote YES on HB2131.

Pam Richardson, Amy Santee Discuss Incarceration of Women

Pam Richardson (left), CEO of Resonance Center for Women in Tulsa and Amty Santee (right) with the George Kaiser Family Foundation talked about efforts under way to reduct the incarceration rate of women in Oklahoma. We currently rank #1 in the United States (and #3 for men) per capita.

Panel Shares Personal Experiences, Insights

Billed on the program as "Surviving and Thriving!" we heard a panel of women who are thriving after experiencing hardships associated with teen pregnancy, domestic violence. drug addiction, and incarceration." This session was riveting and inspiring as these three brave women shared their personal stories of trials and victories. It was really inspiring and also very enlightening about the excellent state programs that helped these women and the lack of other programs that could have been so useful.

Dr. Terry Cline Speaks at Oklahoma Women's Coalition 2011 Advocacy Day

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Terry Cline, PhD, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health, spoke to participants at the Oklahoma Women's Coalition "Advocate 2011: Women and Girls Day in Oklahoma" about health in Oklahoma and the "Shape Your Future" initiative.

Oklahoma Women's Coalition "Leading Ladies Reception"

The Oklahoma Women's Coalition reception honoring women in elective office was wonderful this evening. Great turnout. Governor Mary Fallin spoke and read a proclamation declaring it Women and Girls Day in Oklahoma. Corporation Commission Chair Dana Murphy told how she was involved in founding the organization and her hopes for improving the lives of women and girls in Oklahoma. Publisher and CEO of The Journal Record Mary Melon introduced the elected women (see top image above; click on images to enlarge).

Mary Melon introducing elected women of Oklahoma

Posted via email from Jean's Posterous Blog

The Journal Record Publisher and CEO Mary Melon (above) did a wonderful job introducing all the women present at the inaugural Leading Ladies Reception who serve in elective office. I believe she or Governor Mary Fallin said the Oklahoma Women's Coalition had identified over 1,500 women in elective office across Oklahoma today.

Dana Murphy speaking at Leading Ladies Reception April 11

Posted via email from Jean's Posterous Blog

The Honorable Dana Murphy, Chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, spoke at the Leading Ladies  Reception in Oklahoma April 11. She noted that she was one of the original founders of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition and very proud of the work that organization is undertaking to improve conditions for Oklahoma women and girls. She congratulated all the women present who, like her, currently serve in elective office  and the thousand more not present at this inaugural event.

Phyllis Hudecki to Be Oklahoma's Education Secretary

Congratulations to Phyllis Hudecki who Governor Mary Fallin has named to be her Secretary of Education. Hudecki is Executive Director of the Oklahoma Business & Education Coalition (OBEC). You can read about Hudecki and her appointment by clicking here.

Tulsa's Kathy Taylor inducted into OK Women'S Hall of Fame

Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame ceremony

Posted via email from Jean's Posterous Blog

Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame ceremony

Oklahoma Task Force To Study Children of Incarcerated Parents

House Bill 1197 -- which creates the Children of Incarcerated Parents Task Force -- passed both chambers of the Oklahoma legislature and has been signed by the Governor. Authored by Rep. Jeannie McDaniel and Sen. Patrick Anderson, the law creates a 21-member task force to look at needs of children of incarcerated parents. There will be subcommittees on safety issues; data on the number of children with a parent in prison; outreach; education; economic supports; and research. The task force will also be a clearinghouse for resources and will review existing legislation that affects children of incarcerated parents. A final report is due  Jan. 1, 2012 including goals, desired outcomes and recommendations.

Want to learn about other Oklahoma bills impacting children? Check out the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy's website at http://www.oica.org/legislative-news.

OCU Innocence Project, Tiffany Murphy and Betty Anne Waters April 10

Tiffany Murphy has been named director of the Oklahoma Innocence Clinic to be run by Oklahoma City University's School of Law. Murphy comes to us from Kansas City. You can read more about her and this exciting social justice project by clicking here.

Speaking of wrongful prosecution, you can hear Betty Anne Waters at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at the Homsey Family Moot Courtroom. OCU LAW Dean Lawrence K. Hellman will interview Waters at the forum, which is free and open to the public. Her 18 year successful battle to prove her brother innocent is the basis for the 2010 motion picture, Conviction, in which Oscar winner Hilary Swank portrayed Betty Anne. Read more here.

Okie Women Named "Treasures for Tomorrow"

On April 14, six Oklahomans will be celebrated as "Treasurers for Tomorrow." They are Sue Ann Hyde (below) and her husband Dudley, Becky Switzer (center) and her husband Barry, Jeanne Hoffman Smith (left) and Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby. Proceeds from the event benefit the Oklahoma Health Center campus. The event is organized by thwe Oklahoma Health Center Foundation in Oklahoma City. Read about all of these extraordinary Oklahomans by CLICKING HERE.

Reba McIntyre, Jean Shepard Inducted into Country Music Hall oFame

The Country Music Hall of Fame held a ceremony recently to announce this year's class of inductees. Included were two Oklahoma women: Reba McIntyre and Jean Shepard. Reba McIntyre was born outside Kiowa, Oklahoma. Her career has spanned music, theater, movies and television. At 77, Shepard, is known as "The Grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry." A native of Pauls Valley, Shepard was a pioneer in country music. A third Oklahoman will also be honored this year, Bobby Braddock, who wrote some of Tammy Wynette's classic songs. Click here to READ MORE.

Oklahoma's Women Supreme Court Judges

Did you know that women in Oklahoma were not allowed to serve on juries in Oklahoma until 1951? Only three women have ever been appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court - Alma Wilson, Yvonne Kauger and, most recently, Noma Gurich.