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.

"Stand In The Gap" to be Honored by Journal Record

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.

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.

Valerie Naifeh Selling 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/.

Shelia O. Lee to be Honored by Journal Record

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.

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.  

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.