Two Women Inducted To Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame

Nine Oklahoma journalists - including two women - were inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of fame on May 13, 2011. The two Oklahoma women were:

~ Gloria Brown, Managing Editor of the Perry Daily Journal

~ Joan Henderson, Publisher of Oklahoma Today Magazine

Vashina Butler is First Black Female Captain for OK City Police Department

The Oklahoma City Police Department has promoted the first black female to the rank of captain. Congratulations Captain Vashina Butler! You can read her story at http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-promotes-first-black-female-police-captain/article/3579860

Betty Shaw Elected President of Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Assocation

Congratulations to Okie Woman Betty Shaw who has been elected President of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association. A resident of Chickasha, Shaw is Senior Vice President and Mortgage Operations Manager at Spirit Bank in Oklahoma City. You can read an interview with her at http://newsok.com/oklahoma-mortgage-bankers-associations-new-president-sets-sights-on-growth/article/3576084

Hurray! Tulsa Judge Tosses Woman's Life Without Parole Sentence

Amazing!  Instead of serving the rest of her life in prison (original sentence), Sheila Devereux will move to a half-way house in September or October and be released after that.

For another example of how screwed up Oklahoma's sentencing structure is, read this Tulsa World article about mandatory minimums, the 3-strike rule, corrupt Tulsa police officers and incompetent defense attorneys at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20110616_14_0_hrimgs184731&rss_lnk=439

And to think that the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma was urging the Oklahoma State Legislature to look into adopting community sentencing over 20 years ago. What is it about this state that makes us love being the last state to adopt reforms?

Okie Woman Blogger:Beth Harris' Blog

Beth Harris has a new blog called -- what else? -- "Beth Harris' Blog." Beth is a student at UCO with interesting observations and insights. She is about to turn 30 and has set herself the task of accomplishing a number of things before her birthday including "Get more $ for Even Start, Volunteer with a hospice, Watch Gone with the Wind," and more. Check out her blog at http://elizabethaharris.wordpress.com/

Sheryl Tucker Named Graduate Dean at Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University has hired Sheryl Tucker away from the National Science Foundation to head the OSU Graduate College. Pending regents approval, she will begin August 1st. She'll also be a tenured chemistry professor at OSU. Welcome Sheryl! For more, read http://newsok.com/osu-names-sheryl-tucker-dean-of-graduate-college/article/3569518.

Image is from NewsOK website.

Financial Education Comes to Oklahoma High Schools

So far 163 of our 596 high schools in Oklahoma are offering financial literacy curriculum.

In addition, about 50 middle schools have some sort of financial literacy classes.

What is covered?

The 14 areas that every high school student must show proficiency in before graduating are:

Earning an income
State and federal taxes
Banking and financial services
Balancing a checkbook
Savings and investment
Planning for retirement
Loans and borrowing money, including predatory lending and payday loans
Interest, credit card debt, and online commerce
Identity fraud and theft
Rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home
Insurance
The financial impact of gambling
Bankruptcy
Charitable giving

read more about the Oklahoma State Department of Education's Personal Financial Literacy curriculum at http://sde.state.ok.us/Curriculum/PFLP/

YWCA of Oklahoma City Offers Crisis Services Training July 11-15

The Oklahoma City YWCA runs the only domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in Oklahoma County and it is extraordinary! 


If you have ever thought about doing volunteer work in this area, the OKC YWCA provides Crisis Services Training every other month to volunteers working directly with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Their next workshop is the week of July 11-15. You can learn more about the program and sign up for the training by clicking HERE.

Honored One - Ruthe Blalock Jones

Ruthe Blalock Jones was celebrated this past weekend as the "Honored One" at the 2011 Red Earth Festival in OKC. Blalock is a visual artist who has supported and promoted and taught American Indian art her whole life. She is Director Emeritus and Associate Professor of Art, Bacone College, Muskogee, Oklahoma and her paintings are in permanent collections including at the Heard Museum, Five Civilized Tribes Museum and the Museum of the American Indian. This is a great recognition for a most deserving Oklahoma artist. Congratulations, Ruthe!

You can learn more about Blalock at the following sites:

Red Earth Festival:

http://www.redearth.org/red-earth-festival/festival-honors/

http://www.newsok.com/article/3573297

The May/June 2011 issue of Oklahoma Today Magazine:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=183986458318633&set=a.122445254472754.18138.119354361448510&type=1&theater

View some of her amazing works here:
http://www.facebook.com/RutheBlalockJones
http://RutheBlalockJones.com

Image is from http://www.redearth.org

YOU Can Help Keep "Even Start" Going in Oklahoma

Please read Beth Harris' blog post (below) about the Even Start program in Oklahoma City in dire need of financial support.

Even Start is a federal grant program that integrates early childhood education, adult literacy, parenting education, and more for low-income families.

Beth's program serves Hispanic families in the Oklahoma City area. The afternoon portion has been eliminated due to budget cuts.

Let's put our heads together and see if we can't find a sponsor or three who might be willing to help underwrite this worthwhile program. Tell a friend. Tweet about it. Mention Beth's post on Facebook. Maybe if we each do one thing, one of our efforts will pay off! This is a great "branding opportunity" for a business. Spread the word! Beth's post is at http://elizabethaharris.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/30-before-30-21-even-start/

Image from hispanicallyspeakingnews.com

Title IX is NOT Just About Sports

Do you know what a school’s responsibility is to address sexual harassment and sexual violence? It is covered under Title IX. Schools must also address sexual harassment and gender violence that takes place on school grounds.  The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has a 2-page handout on this subject.  You can view and download it at http://1.usa.gov/ltWEJn.

Okie Woman Blogger: Meg McElhaney's Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

Oklahoman Meg McElhaney started her blog May 2, 2011. It is named Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler and you can view at http://meg-mcelhaney.blogspot.com/. According to her Blogger.com profile, she is

"a college student studying Strategic Communications (Public Relations) with a minor in Creative Writing. I'm 20 years old and have already found a love of travel, food, culture and people. My dream is to be a writer. I have wierd obsessions with nail polish, baking/decorating cookies and my dogs."

Welcome to the blogosphere, Meg!

Rebecca Manzer Honored by Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce

Rebecca Manzer and her husband run Certified Carpet Cleaning and Restoration in Skiatook, Oklahoma. Rebecca was recently named "Small Business Person of 2011" by the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. Her 10-year old business saw sales increase 84% over the past year. Manzer also supports schools and organizations that assist women and children. Congratulations, Rebecca! You can read more about the award ceremony on the Chambers website by clicking here.

Image is from the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce website

Depression After Pregnancy (Oklahoma Resources)

Know a new mother who is having trouble shaking the blues? The Oklahoma State Department Health website has some good information on this topic. They say:

Many new mothers experience what is known as “the baby blues”. With “the baby blues”, new mothers may have mood swings; feel sad, anxious or overwhelmed; have crying spells; lose their appetite; or have trouble sleeping. These symptoms do not tend to be severe, do not need treatment and generally do not last more than two weeks.

The symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), however, last longer and are more severe. PPD can be disabling for a new mother. PPD is a type of major depression that affects about 1 in 10 new mothers within the first year after childbirth. PPD can have a negative impact on a new mother’s health and her ability to care for her infant.

Signs of PPD -- Some symptoms of PPD may mean that a mother is experiencing something more serious than “the baby blues.” Multiple symptoms that don’t go away or thoughts of suicide may mean that the mother could need an evaluation by a health care provider or mental health professional. A new mother may experience extreme changes in emotions, behaviors and physical symptoms. While it is a serious condition, PPD can be treated successfully with medication and counseling.

Here are two Oklahoma experts you can turn to for more information:

Contact Information:Julie Dillard, L.M.S.W.                                                                               
Public Health Social Work/SIDS and Infant Safe Sleep Coordinator  
Maternal and Child Health Service                                                        
1000 NE 10th Street                                                                    
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299                                                  
Phone: (405) 271-4471, E-mail: Julie Dillard                                     


Alesha Lilly, Ph.D
Director, Behavioral Health Program
Child Guidance Service
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
Phone: (405) 271-4477, E-mail: Alesha Lilly

Teresa Knox Honored by Tulsa Chamber for Entrepreneurial Success

The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce recently honored Tulsan Teresa Knox for her "Entrepreneurial Success." Knox is founder and CEO of Community Care College, Clary Sage College, and Oklahoma Technical College. These private colleges employ 200 and offer 47 degree programs.
Read a nice interview with Knox in the Tulsa Tribune in 2008 HERE. You can read more about the awards event on the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce website by clicking HERE.

Images is from the Clary Sage College Facebook page.

Deadbeat Oklahoma Parents List to be Published

With Governor Mary Fallin's recent signature, a new Oklahoma law takes effect that empowers the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to call out deadbeat parents.  Specifically, DHS can now publish a list of delinquent or missing parents who owe child support. This list can include names, photos, last know addresses and the amount of child support owed. Should make for interesting reading, huh?!

An Overview of Higher Education in Oklahoma

A while back, I accompanied my husband, Larkin, to Stillwater where he spoke to Leadership Oklahoma Class XXIV. The session topic was Oklahoma education and Larkin's assignment was higher education. It was fun to see friends in this year's class including Deena Fisher, Connie Schlittler, Robin Roberts Krieger, Marnie Taylor, Steve Potts and Greg Wheeler.  If you'd like to see Larkin's handout, go to http://bit.ly/lc5NY8.

Liz Hunt Named 2011 Women in Business Champion by Tulsa Chamber

Liz Hunt is Chief Executive of Hunt Media and Marketing, a 10-year old full-service public relations firm in Tulsa. She developed and executed a project that connects small business owners in all 77 Oklahoma counties -- many of which are women-owned -- and is developing leadership opportunities  for these women. She has been named by The Journal Record one of the "50 Women Making A Difference in Oklahoma" and one of Oklahoma's outstanding "Achievers Under 40."  Last month, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce named Hunt their 2011 Women in Business Champion. You can read the article on the Tulsa Chamber's website HERE.

Not all Abuse is Physical

TheSafeSpace.org reminds us that not all abuse is physical.  Abuse can be verbal and emotional too.  Make sure you know the signs of a bad relationship.

For TYPES of abuse, see http://www.thesafespace.org/the-basics/relationships-101/types-of-abuse/

Then check out LoveisRespect's Teen Power and Control Wheel.

Remembering Lawton's Sheila Lee

Thank you, Clytie Bunyan, for your article in the Sunday Oklahoman remembering the extraordinary Sheila Octavia Lee of Lawton, Oklahoma. She was a long-time employee of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce - ending up as the CEO last October. She was a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma and active alum. State Representative Don Armes on his blog said this of Sheila:

She served as a board member for the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, the United States Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Oklahoma, the Lawton Food Bank, the Oklahoma University Cancer Institute, and the Fort Sill Federal Credit Union. She was a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class XVII, the Lawton Business & Professional Women, the League of Women Voters, the Association of the United States Army and the United States Field Artillery Association. Shelia participated in numerous professional organizations including the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Convention, the Great Plains Association and the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. Shelia was an instructor for the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Chamber Management Institute. She was also a member of the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher and was a very active volunteer for many organizations, but she was most proud of her work with Army Community Services and military families who were in need. She worked numerous hours to enhance the "Loan Closet," a program designed to allow military families to borrow common household items while in transition between duty assignments. The program was unfunded and owes its success to Shelia's tireless efforts to ensure the care of soldiers and their families.

Sheila's life was cut short as a victim of a murder-suicide. The Lawton Chamber of Commerce has established a scholarship in Sheila's memory at Cameron University to benefit a female full-time student pursuing a business degree. To contribute to this memorial scholarship, send your contribution to “The Sheila Lee Endowment” c/o Cameron University Foundation Inc. 2800 West Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK 73505

Read Clytie Bunyan's article at http://newsok.com/chamber-exec-colleagues-establish-endowment-at-cameron-university/article/3572172#ixzz1Nlf0jZ7v

Tips on Helping Girls Deal With Relational Aggression

When a girl wants to talk to you about being the subject of bullying, do you open the door for a good conversation -- or unintentionally slam the door on her?

Check out the tips in the article on the blog A Way Through entitled

"What Not To Say When Helping Girls Through Relational Aggression." 

Female friendship experts Jane Balvanz and Blair Wagner publish A Way Through, LLC’s Guiding Girls ezine. If you’re ready to guide girls in grades K – 8 through painful friendships, you can get a FREE mini audio workshop and ongoing tips now at their website www.AWayThrough.com.

Why Financial Literacy Matters for Working Mothers

Working Mother has a good article on their blog about why it pays to be money savvy; it is authored by Gail Cunningham with the nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

When I was young and on my own, I knew nothing about credit scores and never formally drew up a budget or tracked my spending. I'm sure I'd have worried less and saved more if I'd been just a little more money smart.

As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the relationship between being economically self-sufficient (ie, having a financial "cushion" via savings and good income) and self actualization, being able to realize your potential, getting to become all that you are capable of being! Money in itself is just money; but financial security translates into opportunity to follow your dreams, to remove yourself from negative relationships and to be secure emotionally and physically as well as financially. So save. Start saving now. Do it for yourself. Get that nest egg built up so if the car breaks down or the job vanishes, or some other unexpected expense pops up, you can weather the storm and stay on track. Want tips on better managing your hard earned dollars? Get started by checking out the articles below:

Tips: Why You Should Understand Your Finances

12 Steps to Financial Success

How To Raise A Money Smart Kid

Image is from http://www.wpclipart.com/

Margo Gray-Proctor Named Minority Small Business Champion

The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce recently named Margo Gray-Proctor their 2011 Minority Small Business Champion.

An Osage business woman, Gray-Proctor is President of Horizon Engineering Service Company. She is the only woman to have served as Chair of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

You can read about the awards presentation by clicking HERE.

Try to Attend the Red Earth Festival June 3-5 in Oklahoma City

Hope you are planning to attend the 25th annual Red Earth Festival which runs June 3 through June 5 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger is a co-founder of this wonder event and will be the 2011 Red Earth Ambassador of the Year. Ruthe Blalock Jones is the 2011 Red earth Honored One. This Year's T-shirt is designed by Benjamin Harjo, Jr - making it a definite collectors item!!!!!

The largest event of its kind in the world, last year's event drew 12,000 participants and 27,000 attendees. The image above is by Chris Landsberger with The Oklahoman. It was featured in a recent Oklahoman  article about Red Earth. You can read that article by clicking here.  For information about Red earth, you can call 405-427-5228 or visit www.redearth.org.

Purple Sash Tickets on Sale Now

The YWCA's largest, most elegant event, Purple Sash, is right around the corner and you won't want to miss it! Set for June 25 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, this year's Purple Sash will feature a fashion show by Ruth Meyers, delicious food and wine and fabulous live and silent auctions. Auction items include gorgeous jewelry from BC Clark and Naifeh Fine Jewelry, courtside Thunder tickets, and even a live concert by Graham Colton for your next party! You won't want to miss this premiere event to benefit the only shelter for battered women and children in Oklahoma.  Get your tickets today!

Andrew Rice Questions Wisdom of Spottedcrow Sentence

Good for State Senator Andrew Rice for targeting a recent verdict sending Oklahoman Patricia Spottedcrow to prison for 10 years for selling $31 worth of marijuana. The woman had NO prior criminal record. Is this really a wise use of our tax dollars? (Read her story here.)

Her four children suffer. She's not working.  Why not put a GPS ankle bracelet on her, do unannounced drug tests and put her into drug rehab rather than our paying $16,000 per year to protect us from this nonviolent offender? Enough of being "tough on crime," Oklahoma. Let's be try being SMART on crime... you know, like Texas.  :-)

You can read Senator Rice's Op-Ed piece at http://newsok.com/crime-policies-take-toll/article/3572383

Image of Spottedcrow above is from Oklahoma Watch.