Lori Montag Honored With 2011 Innovator of the Year Award

The Journal Record's Innovator of the Year award recently  went to Broken Arrow based Big Time Brands which is owned by Lori Montag and Jim Howard.

Among their hugely popular products are the zany bandz, the Slap Watch and the Splash Watch. See a Tulsa World article on the watches popularity.

You can read all about Lori and Jim and the awards banquet HERE and view JR photos by clicking HERE.

Beverly Kinzie's New Book "Early Woods County"

I don't ordinarily take guest blogs but I believe in promoting Oklahoma women writers. So here is a piece written by Beverly S. Kinzie. She is the author of a new pictorial history entitled Early Woods County. This book went on sale today, May 30, 2011. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/kpprAd. You can save 20% of the purchase on this book by going to http://bit.ly/kpprAd and typing in WOODSCO at checkout. Enjoy!

The women of Woods County, Oklahoma were from the time of the ‘Run’ of 1893 till the present a sturdy lot.

When reading journals of the early pioneers to gather information for my book, Early Woods County, the women talked about living for months at a time on claims with small children, far from any town while their husbands traveled to find work for cash money, so that they could come back and make improvements on their claim. She was the glue that held the family together.

Many of the original women that came west to settle in the newly opened Cherokee Strip were from back east, and had probably lived for a while in Kansas. They came from established homes, and had attended school and were church orientated.

They moved here to live in sod houses, dug-outs, or half dug-outs. This generally was one large room with a small loft for the children to sleep in. They cooked over an open fireplace and in the summer cooked outside. They felt lucky to have a dug well on their claim, or be close to a spring for water.

The women of Early Woods County were very concerned about education, and after getting a roof over their heads, the next thing they wanted was schools for their children.

This has carried forward until this day. Woods County is fortunate to have good public schools, a Vo-Tech School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Women that have the desire for education can obtain it to any degree that she wants.

It was the push of the women that the churches eventually outnumbered the saloons.

There are several entries in journals that stand out in my mind about the early women:

One woman said when she was expecting relatives from back east she was uneasy about them staying in her dugout home, as the relatives had a fine two story home. But, much to her surprise they praised her ingenuity in running the homestead under such primitive conditions.

Another woman thought she was privileged to have a wood floor laid over the dirt.

But when the boards warped and the bugs and snakes came in she ripped it out herself.

Several mothers told how she and the girls would work in the fields at harvest if there were no boys in the family. Today women and girls still work at harvest time driving trucks full of grain to the elevator and plowing with tractors. Of course it is much more comfortable with the cabs and air-conditioning that is now on the tractors and trucks.

My mother-in-law who was born in a dugout in 1894 and lived there for many years always said the greatest invention that came to the homesteader’s was indoor plumbing. When I was a little girl in the 1940s during WWII living on a farm we had an outhouse. It always terrified me to have to go there to take care of business.

Larkin's Tax Break Quote Made Me Laugh

I had a good laugh this morning while reading the lead article in the Sunday Oklahoman entitled "Task force to examine hundreds of tax breaks."  The first quote was by my darling spouse who said:

"It makes my head hurt... These doggone legislators, every year, they chip away at the integrity of the tax base... They're responding to pressure on the part of some of their constituents. But the overall result of it is a mess."

Yup. That's my straight-arrow, honest-as-the-day-is-long, tell-it-like-it-is guy. No sugar coating. No mincing words. Indeed, it is no surprise that Larkin's bio on Oklahoma State University's website (you have to scroll down to find it) begins, "When it comes to straight talk about Oklahoma's economy, colleagues and reporters alike have rave reviews for Dr. Larkin Warner."

Toward the end of the 2011 Oklahoma Legislative session, the Legislature created a special task force to look into state tax breaks. One member of this task force is my state Representative David Dank -- who tried unsuccessfully this session to eliminate 22 tax break provisions. This will be fun to watch!

The article is by Warren Vietch who is part of an exciting investigative reporting initiative known as  Oklahoma Watch. You can read his article at http://newsok.com/oklahoma-watch-task-force-to-examine-state-tax-breaks/article/3571937




























































These do

Dee Nash (Red Dirt Ramblings) Explains Tornadoes

Whenever there is a big tornado in Oklahoma, Okies get phone calls and text messages and emails and tweets asking us about life in tornado alley. On her blog "Red Dirt Ramblings," Dee Nash has done a lovely job of explaining what it is like to live with the possibilities of tornadoes. It is one of those, "Dang, I wish I had written that" reads and I suggest you send the link to your loved ones outside Oklahoma. I especially like the part about weather radios, storm chasers, meteorologists and the practice of switching back and forth (for those of us in Central Oklahoma) between our commercial TV channels - KFOR, KWTV and KOCO!   Check it out at http://reddirtramblings.com/?p=18180

Image by KFOR.tv

Sandra Olson, Juanita Keel Tate Honored

The Oklahoma Historical Society recently honored four individuals -- including Sandra Olson and Juanita Keel Tate (left) -- for outstanding contributions to Oklahoma's history.Olson was recognized for her fundraising efforts and work resulting in restoration of historic buildings in Waynoka. Tate (now 101 years of age) contributed greatly to the preservation of Chickasaw history as well as her own family history. She is author of Edmund Pickens (Okchantubby): First Elected Chickasaw Chief, His Life and Times. Read more by clicking here. 

Louisa McCune-Elmore Named Kirkpatrick Foundation Director

Congratulations to Louisa McCune-Elmore on being selected the new director of the Kirkpatrick Foundation in Oklahoma City. A native of Enid, Oklahoma, Louisa is served 13 years as editor-in-chief for Oklahoma Today magazine.

Image from The Journal Record

Jane Haskin Is First Woman to Head Oklahoma Bankers Association

Another first for Okie Women!  Last Tuesday, Jane Haskin, President and CEO of First Bethany Bank and Trust, became chair the Oklahoma Bankers Association.

This makes Haskin the first woman to hold that post in the 114-year history of the organization. Score one for women in banking. Congratulations, Jane!

Click here to read The Journal Record's 2006 "50 Women Making a Difference" bio on Haskin. 

Read The Oklahoman article about Jane Haskin by clicking here.

University of Oklahoma Changes Sexual Assault Policy

Kudos to the University of Oklahoma for responding to student Jordan Ward and others who recently expressed concern regarding the school's sexual assault policy.

In response, the OU Regents have adopted revisions to the OU policy. Now students committing sexual misconduct can be suspended or expelled. Students have up to one year (it used to be one month) to file sexual misconduct complaints. (The State of Oklahoma's statute of limitations is 12 years!)

A Task Force has been created to work on other aspects of OU's sexual assault policies as well.

NAWBO Central Oklahoma Offers Program June 7 on Growing Your Business

Hey, Oklahoma women business owners -- NAWBO Central Oklahoma is hosting a program June 7 entitled "Tools for Growing Your Business & Client Base." Presenters include Heather Thompson, Jean Lehr, Lesa Crowe and Robin Healy. You can read more about the event on their website at www.nawbook.org/events.

Miki Farris is 2011 Mother of the Year

The Oklahoma Association of American Mothers has named Miki Farris 2011 Mother of the Year. She has four children of her own and is also the founder and CEO of Infant Crisis Services in Oklahoma City. This organization aids thousands of babies and toddlers each year. Infant Crisis Services estimates they have helped over 150,000 babies over the past 27 years.  The nonprofit provides formula, food and diapers to needy Oklahoma babies. Jennifer King of Newcastle, Oklahoma was named Oklahoma Young Mother of the Year.

Source. FRIDAY, Local named top mom, 5-6-2011

Shelly Campbell is 2011 Oklahoma City Teacher of the Year

The Foundation of Oklahoma City Public Schools recently named Shelly Campbell as 2011 Oklahoma City Teacher of the Year. A teacher at John Marshall High School, Campbell teaches ninth and tenth grade English classes for special education students plus advance placement classes in language arts and literature. She also helps with Student Council much more. Congratulations, Shelly! Read more ->>

Image by Nate Billings with NewsOK

Sara Bizzell Named Oklahoma Court Clerk of the Year

The Oklahoma Municipal Court Clerks Association recently awarded Sara Bizzell their Anne Thompson Court Clerk of the Year designation. Bizzell is municipal court clerk on Piedmont, Oklahoma.  She has served the City of Piedmont for 22 years. Congrats to Sara Bizzell -- a notable Okie woman! 

Purple Sash is June 25

I have attended the YWCA's a big fundraising event for the past several years and can report that Purple Sash is a blast. Especially for women because of the fabulous silent auction items, the amazing fashion show and much more. So think about getting a group of girl friends together and going yourself this year. Get all dolled up and mingle with others who want to help support the domestic violence shelter in Oklahoma County. It is likely to be a sell-out again this year, so get a move on! You can read more about and buy a ticket to Purple Sash by  clicking here. 

Health Statistics Available of Children and Youth

A new report from the Institute of Medicine was released April 25, 2011 entitled "Child and Adolescent Health and Health Care Quality: Measuring What Matters." Up until now, our federal government has maintained numerous data sets and measures on health status but hasn't produced what the National Academy for State Health Policy calls "robust national-and state-level information about the health status or health care quality of children and adolescents." Now they do!

It is a long report. You can view the report by clicking here.

Oklahoma Ranks 50th on Women's Health

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health:

Oklahoma has 1.8 million females. Seventy-four percent are non-Hispanic White, while American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women comprise 9 percent.

The state ranks at the bottom on most major causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

It does have a better record on death rates for colorectal cancer.

Its women fare poorly on most health risk factors, including eating 5+ fruits and vegetables a day, smoking, high blood pressure, leisure-time physical activity, and obesity.

Rates of obesity are higher among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN women than for non-Hispanic White women.

As with health risk factors, the state ranks near the bottom for all presented preventive care measures except colorectal screenings.

It ranks worst in the nation on routine check-ups and nearly as poorly for mammograms (#51 out of a possible 52).

Of non-senior women, only 77 percent have health insurance, which merits a rank of #47.

Hispanic women have by far the lowest rate of insurance coverage, at less than 42 percent.

Seriously, people. What are we going to do to improve this situation?

5-12-2011 Gov Mary Fallin Signs HB2131

This photo was taken last Thursday at the bill signing ceremony in the Governor's Large Conference Room at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The bill signed was House Speaker Kris Steele's bill HB2131 which will move Oklahoma toward incarcerating fewer people charged with non violent crimes. Others in the picture include House and Senate bill sponsors, Committee Chairs, plus Justin Jones, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and a young woman who had been incarcerated and then went through the Women In Recovery program in Tulsa.  An very exciting day for our state. Lots of people were there who are members of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition which -- along with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, Oklahoma SIS, Resonance Center for Women, the Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Christian University, Count the Costs, and many others -- worked hard to advocate in favor of this bill this Legislative session. Yeah! Thumbs Up. As they say on Facebook, I "Like" it.   :-)

Tulsan Karen Morgan to be Honored

Tomorrow the Tulsa Professional Chapter of The Association of Women in Communications holds their 39th Annual Newsmakers Luncheon at Southern Hills Country Club.

Honorees this year are volunteer community leader Roxana Lorton, Tulsa Indian Health Care Resource Center CEO Carmelita Skeeter and Karen Morgan (pictured left), former CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma. Under Karen's tenure, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma established the highly successful program at Turley Correctional Center -- Project M.E.N.D. (Mothers Encouraging and Nurturing Their Daughters). She is currently Vice Chair of the statewide Oklahoma Women's Coalition.

Read more about the event and honorees in a Tulsa World article by clicking here. 

State of Women-Owned Business Report

American Express OPEN has released a report entitled
State of Women-Owned Business Report.
Here are just a few findings:

• Women-owned firms now account for 29 percent of all businesses.
• But, the share of women-owned firms at the highest levels of business accomplishment has remained essentially unchanged over the past 14 years.
• When compared to all privately held firms, women-owned businesses employ 13 percent of the workforce and account for 11 percent of all business revenue.

Check out the infographic HERE and the full report HERE.

Cathy Keating and Elizabeth Warren to be Inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame has announced their 2011 inductees. 


They are Tommy Franks, Harold Hamm, Margues Haynes, Cathy Keating, Steve Malcolm, Roger Miller and (get ready for this) Elizabeth Warren. I am delighted but really, really surprised; she is a Democrat, don't ya know! 


Warren is currently Assistant to President Barack Obama and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on creating the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She is also the Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Sadly, our Oklahoma Congressional delegation is working hard to block her from becoming head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 


I just hope all the Republicans in the room won't boo Warren when she is introduced!


Photo by David Shankbone via Flickr

Okie Woman Blogger: Alpaca Blog at Walnut Creek

 I just added Alpaca Blog at Walnut Creek to my Oklahoma Women Bloggers page. 


This blog is the product of Karen Galbraith and her husband Dave. 


They raise alpacas in Talihina, Oklahoma and the pictures of baby alpacas are pretty CUTE!! 


Check out this fun blog at http://www.walnutcreekalpacas.com/blog/.

It is Time for Oklahoma to Invest in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Terri White, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, had an excellent op-ed piece in last Sunday's issue of The Oklahoman. In it, she reminds us that addiction is a medical condition -- like other illnesses -- and requires and deserves medical attention. Here is the part that caught my attention:

Some argue that substance abuse is a “choice.” Initially, it is a choice, but it's a choice made by 12-year-olds. Let me repeat that: The average age Oklahomans take their first drink is 12. How many of us think we made our best choices at that age? If someone is prone to addiction, continued use alters the developing brain in ways that, within a few years, it is no longer a choice — it is a disease named addiction.

At any time, there are HUNDREDS of Oklahomans waiting to get into a substance abuse treatment program. They are broken and we should be figuring out how we can help them make themselves whole, again. If we don't, we will continue to deal with (to quote Ms. White) "death, imprisonment, car accidents, suicide, unemployment, child neglect, and other harrowing incidents that shatter lives, dreams and families."

You can read Commissioner White's piece by clicking here.

Young Democrats of Oklahoma Women's Caucus

Did you know there is a Young Democrats of Oklahoma Women's Caucus? They say "We are the YDO Women's Caucus. We are men and women fighting for gender rights and equality in Oklahoma." Their website is http://ydok.wordpress.com/caucuses/womens-caucus/ and they're on Twitter as @YDOWC. Good to know.

I've added them to the Twitter follow list on my @OkieWomen account. I added them on my "Women Political  Engagement" list along with @WIPPWeDecide, @WomenCount, @The2012Project, @CAWP_RU, @VOICESWomen, @MomsRising, @CfWD1, @ nwlc, @IWPResearch, and many more.

Would someone with the Oklahoma Federation of Young Republicans or the Oklahoma Young Republican Network please tell me if there is a similar group within the Oklahoma Republican Party structure? Thanks!

Thou Shalt Not Shackle a Woman Who Is In Labor

"The Nashville Sheriff’s Office violated a woman’s rights by shackling her while she was in labor and after she gave birth, a federal district court ruled yesterday." That is the opening sentence in a blog post by Rachel Roth on the RH Reality Check blog. Her piece is entitled "Federal Court Condemns  Shackling, Vindicates Woman." If you think the women's movement has completed its work in the United States, I suggest you read this story!  

Oklahoma Women Journalists Honored

On May 13, nine journalists will be inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. The group includes two women: Gloria G. Brown and Joan Henderson. Brown started as a proofreader for the Perry Daily Journal. She got to be "women's editor" (oh joy) and worked her way up to managing editor. Henderson worked for Oklahoma Today - holding positions of general manager and, in 1997, publisher. She is credited for helping Oklahoma Today win many regional and national awards.


The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame induction luncheon will take place on the third floor of the Nigh University Center, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond at 11:45am on May 13. Purchase a luncheon tickets for $15 by calling Terry Clark at 974-5122 or emailing him at tclark@uco.edu.

Oklahoma is #1 in Growth of Women Entrepreneurs

Oklahoma ranks #1 in the nation for the growth rate of women entrepreneurs -- 40% higher than the national average!  Oklahoma ranks #9 for women-owned business expansions and #30 in new women-owned business starts between 1997 and 2011. 


Thinking of starting a business in Oklahoma? There are lots of good resources to help you along the way. A good place to start thought is with the Rural Enterprises' Women's Business Center. They have offices in Durant and Oklahoma.

Learn more at http://newsok.com/women-changing-the-world-one-venture-at-a-time/article/3559209#ixzz1KN4PDi00