Gov Henry has appointed Terri White as his Secretary of Health

The Oklahoma Governor has a Cabinet. Recently Gov Brad Henry's appointee as Secretary of Health, Mike Crutcher, announced he was retiring - leaving that post empty. Today Gov Henry announced who will fill that post -- Terri White, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, will now also carry the title 9and job responsibilities) or Secretary of Health. Congratulations Commissioner White. She is the first woman to hold this position since the cabinet structure was established in the 1980's. Click here to read the full press release and Terri's bio. Besides being a great accomplishment for an Oklahoma woman, this may bode well for Oklahoma's future. Mental health has played third string in Oklahoma for way too long. Solve the mental health problems in our state and you can make a big improvement in corrections and education and other areas where we also lag behind. Maybe, by lifting up the Commissioner of Mental Health to Cabinet status, it means Henry will also direct more attention and funding towards mental health in Oklahoma. So, a double "Hurray!"

Jill Tarbel Remembered

Remarkable Oklahoma advocate for the disabled, Tulsan Jill Tarbel is being remembered by her friends as "daunting," "fierce in a good way" and more in this article from the Tulsa World Jan 28, 2009.

Oklahoma Magazine Interviews Tulsa YWCA's Felicia Collins Correia

The February edition of Oklahoma Magazine is out and it includes a nice interview with Felicia Collins-Correia, CEO of YWCA Tulsa. The Y's mission is "Ending Racism and Empowering A Women." In an article entitled "Moving Beyond Color Lines," Corria, who is on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition, talks about the Tulsa race riots and, as an African American, reflects on the significance of President Barack Obama's election. You can view the digital version of the magazine by clicking here (Felicia's article is on pages 7-8).

Women's Coalition - 1st Advocacy Day at the Capitol 2-18-2008

Did you know Oklahoma has been ranked the 3rd worst state for women?? We rank #1 in Incarcerated Women, #1 in Child Abuse, #1 in the Divorce Rate, #7 in Teen Births, #42 in overall women's health, #45 in women in professional jobs. The list goes on and on.

The newly formed, non-partisan Oklahoma Women's Coalition is out to change these statistics. Please join us for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! on February 18 at the State Capitol as we make history for Oklahoma women and girls.

The day will begin with a press conference to officially launch the Coalition, followed by sessions where state leaders will provide updates on key issues and legislation affecting women and girls. We will also learn effective advocacy techniques to have our voices heard.

To download a registration form for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! just click HERE. Seating is limited, so send in your registration as soon as possible.

Whether or not you are able attend the Advocacy Day in February, I urge you to become a member of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition now. Together, we can create significant change for Oklahoma women and girls! To download the Membership Application Form, just click HERE.

Like the Oklahoma Women's Coalition's New Logo?

How do you like the Oklahoma Women's Coalition's new logo?

Actually, I hope you LOVE IT because we have agonized over this for months and I'm quite tickled with what the Communications Committee settled on. I think it is whimsical.

What do you think?

Oklahoma's Daisy Blackbird at 106 & Kristin Chenoweth

Click HERE to view The Oklahoman's article on Daisy Blackbird who is 106 years old. And click HERE to read their article on how opera bound Oklahoman Kristin Chenoweth's career accidentally got sidetracked - leading her into stardom on Broadway, in movies and on TV!

OSU's Oral History Research Program Interviews Oklahoma's Women Legislators

Oklahoma State University has an oral history program which operates out of the Edmond Lowe Library. One initiative records the voices of the women inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame which is hosted by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. Project leader here is Juliana Nykolaiszyn.

Another effort is their "Remembering Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel: Poet and Dust Bowl Emigrant" project. Here prreservation of materials, historical documents and oral memories focus on Oklahoma poet Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. Project leader on this effort is Karen Neurohr.

Not surprisingly, the project I get most excited about is OSU's oral history of the "Women of the Oklahoma Legislature." Here OSU is chronicling the lives of the women who served in the Oklahoma House and Senate. It records their memories plus holds historical documents of these extraordinary women past and present. This project is lead by Tanya Finchum.

The image in the post comes out of that effort. Hope they get more information up on the Internet so we can know more on this project (or maybe it is there and I can't find it). :-)

Here is a list of all women who have served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. (Anyone know of a similar list for all women who have served in the Oklahoma State Senate?)

Oklahoma Magazine's January Issue Features Oklahoma Women

Oklahoma Magazine always focuses on brides and weddings in their January issue (2009 is the 12th annual Oklahoma Wedding issue) but there is lots more packed into this issue as well.

There is a story on world renowned wildlife artist Jan Martin McGuire - considered by many to be among the nation's top wildlife artists. She was born and raised in Colorado but now calls Bartlesville, Oklahoma home.

And an article on native Oklahoman Chryssee Martin who serves as an honorary warden of the Kenya Wildlife Services Animal Orphanage. She is author of several books including On A Road in Africa (with Kim Doner).

Plus a piece on OU basketball coach Sherri Coale.

And a profile on Sherry Capps and Laurie Hearon, the mother/daughter team who own True To You Bra Salon, where you can get a perfect fit (in London Square South Shopping Center in Tulsa).

But the feature article I loved was the 4-page spread on Oklahoma's music legend Wanda Jackson - who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this April.

You may need to give Oklahoma Magazine a few more days to get their January magazine up online. I picked up a copy in the lobby of the Oklahoma City Art Museum. See if it is up yet by clicking here: http://www.okmag.com/currentissue/index.cfm.

Traci Martin to Exhibit at State Capitol

eCapitol News reports that Ardmore artist Traci Martin's exhibit, A Meditation On/Through Colour, will be on display in the first floor of the North Gallery at the State Capitol from January 19 through March 22. Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the North Gallery is devoted to Oklahoma's finest photographers and is open daily from 8:30-5:00. Originally from Oregon, Martin has lived in the Ardmore area for about 12 years. She graduated in 2005 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology, with an emphasis in Art Therapy.

Oklahoma's Wanda Jackson to be Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Great news! Oklahoma rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in April. Yippee. well deserved and long overdue! Read Tulsa World article about it here.

Tornado Alley Rollergirls take on breast cancer

The Tornado Alley Rollergirls worked with Judi Grove of Breast Impressions and local artists to create painted plaster busts of 10 of their skaters. They'll be auctioning them this Saturday during the half-time of their bout. The proceeds will go to SHOUT of OKC (http://www.shout-okc.org/) which is a support group for young women survivors of cancer.

Thank you, Sarah Hamby, aka the Outlaw Josey Whales, for the heads up!

To learn more about the Oklahoma City Rollerderby dba Tornado Alley Rollergirls CLICK HERE.

Dana Murphy Sworn In As Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner

Today Dana Murphy was sworn in as Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.

In a packed courtroom, surrounded by elected officials, family and well wishers, she actually took two pledges!

Jane Jayroe Gamble served as master of ceremony. Kim Swyden gave the invocation. Misty Farmer sang. The other two Corporation Commissioners, Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud, made welcoming remarks and recognized the many dignitaries present.

Justice Steven Taylor did the official swearing in after which Dana gave a wonderful talk. Everyone grinned and cheered and then we ate yellow and blue cookies! Congratulations, Dana!

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Oklahoman Carrie Underwood Winner at People's Choice Awards

Kuddos to Checotah, Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood. The People's Choice Awards lets Internet voters select their favorites in many categories. Underwood was the winner in the "Favorite Female Singer" category. In addition, fans selected her song "Last Name" to win the "Favorite Country Song" award this year. Way to go, Carrie! Oklahoma is so proud of you.

Jane Jenkins to Head Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

Let's all say, "Welcome!" to Jane Jenkins who is coming to Oklahoma City to head Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. She is currently director of the downtown program in Boulder, Colorado. Read more about Jane by clicking here. By the way, an upcoming event of theirs is Chocolate Decadence 2009 on Thursday, February 5th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at 825 N. Broadway in Automobile Alley.

Stillwater Domestic Violence Shelter Expansion

The Donald W Reynolds Foundation has provided a grant for $4.85 million to expand the women's shelter in Stillwater. Read more by clicking here.

Woman of the Year

Want to be selected "Woman of the Year" someday? Criteria that the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce uses to pick their 2008 "Businesswoman of the Year" (award to be presented Feb 6, 2009) include:

Made achievements in the professional field
Exhibit leadership in their profession
Act as a mentor and role model to other women
Dedicate significant time and effort to philanthropic activities
Exhibit leadership in the community

Larkin and the Blues Brothers

Here is Larkin trying to fit in with the Blues Brothers at Midway Airport in Chicago. That is one amazing little airport!

Bahai House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois

Have I mentioned that I went home to Chicago last month for a memorial service for my brother Tom? I stayed with my step-sister and her family (Bette and her husband, Phil, are pictured above). They live near the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette so we dropped by to look around and offer prayers for Tom. Thanks, Phil and Bette, for making us feel so welcome.

Portrait of US District Judge Robin Cauthron Unveiled

On November 26, 2008, a wonderful portrait of US District Judge Robin J Cauthron was unveiled as part of a recognition ceremony marking the completion of her term as chief judge of the US District Court for Oklahoma's western federal court district. Congratulations, Robin!

Incarceration: State Names Laura Pitman Prison's Chief of Women

Oklahoma ranks #1 in the USA at incarcerating women, per capita (over 2,700 at present). In fact, we lock up more women per capita than any developed nation inthe world! So it is wonderful that the state has hired a deputy director of female offender operations. She is Laura J Pitmanand she begins her job December 15. Her long-term goal:

reduce the number of women in Oklahoma’s prisons and implement programs inside the system to help women deal with mental health and trauma issues.

Read Oklahoman article here.

Oklahoman Laila Hajji Elected FFA VP

Laila Hajji of Guthrie, Oklahoma has been elected one of six national officers for the National FFA Organization. She is the central region vice president and the only national officer from Oklahoma. She is a student at Texas Tech (we forgive her though). Congratulations, Laila!

Clara Luper Honored

The Oklahoman has a nice editorial today noting that Oklahoma City civil rights advocate Clara Luper was honored during a Thunders basketball game recently. It is so nice, I am copying the whole thing here. Hope The Okahoman/NewsOK does mind. Here is their link but here is the editorial. Hurray for Clara Luper!

Shining light: Luper merits every new salute
The Oklahoman ~~ Editorial (Published: November 27, 2008)

Fifty years after she began a peaceful fight against racial segregation, Clara Luper remains a beacon of light for Oklahoma City. The memory of her deeds still provides inspiration for people of all colors, here and across the state.

At an Oklahoma City Thunder game this week, the team and Devon Energy honored Luper with a "Community Hero” award. It was one of scores of community service awards she has received through the years. Many of those at the Ford Center weren’t born or were far too young to know of the courage it took to start the sit-ins at Katz Drug Store in the summer of 1958.

When the 50th anniversary was marked in August, teachers across the city reported that few of their students, including their black students, had ever heard of what Luper had done. Many of those same children couldn’t imagine a day when citizens couldn’t be served at a lunch counter solely because of their skin color.

The late 1950s also were a time when at least some teams in the NBA wouldn’t play more than a few black players at a time, so as not to upset the predominantly white crowd. Today, the crowds are still predominantly white, but blacks represent more than 80 percent of the league’s players.

Clara Luper played a role in breaking down all kinds of barriers — at a lunch counter here locally, and across the country in making institutions like pro basketball more color blind.

She’s an Oklahoma institution and deserves every honor she gets.

And I say, "Amen."

OETA Features Wilma Mankiller Sunday at 1 PM

OETA had an excellent program this week featuring Dick Pryor interviewing Oklahoma's treasure Wilma Mankiller.It will re-air at 1 p.m. this Sunday. She talks about a lot of the topics that we are concerned about. Hope you get a chance to watch it. For more, click here --> http://www.oeta.onenet.net/local/acw.html

Theresa Lee Hernandez- Followup

Dear Amici, Activists, and Allies:

We are so pleased to let you know that on November 19, 2008, after serving only one year from the date of sentencing, Theresa Lee Hernandez was released from prison.

As you know, Ms. Hernandez was arrested in 2004 and charged with first-degree murder (a crime with a potential penalty of 25 years-to-life imprisonment) and second-degree murder for having suffered a stillbirth. The state claimed -- without any scientific basis -- that the stillbirth was caused by her methamphetamine use.

In 2007, as her case approached trial, national and state-based organizations, advocates and experts organized, educated and spoke out against the prosecution. These efforts were instrumental in helping Ms. Hernandez avoid a life sentence and in enabling her counsel, Robin Shellow and Jim Rowan, to negotiate a plea bargain. That plea, entered last November, resulted in a sentence of 15 years, to be revisited after Ms. Hernandez served one year in prison.

As the Tulsa World reported: "Theresa Lee Hernandez, 31, appeared before Judge Virgil Black for a sentencing modification hearing. At the request of prosecutors, Black agreed to "suspend the remainder of her sentence and ordered her released from custody." Ms. Hernandez will go to a private treatment program for 90 days and will be on probation for 10 years.

Just a week before Ms. Hernandez's November 19 release, the second of two public forums regarding pregnancy, parenting and drug use was held. This forum, held at the Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, was co-sponsored by the local chapters of the National Association of Social Workers and of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the YWCA Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma State University's Gender and Women's Studies program. The panel discussion included local experts, doctors Eli Reshef and Dana Stone, and continued a conversation that drew upon evidence-based research concerning pregnancy, parenting and drug use. This conversation had begun at an Oklahoma forum one year earlier, in anticipation of Ms. Hernandez's sentencing.

The extent to which the organizing and public education effort made a difference is not only evident in Ms. Hernandez' early release, but also in what happened on the day of her release, how the media reported the decision, and what the prosecutor, District Attorney David Prater is now saying and doing.

Ms. Hernandez' release was not typical. Even in cases where a conviction is completely overturned, prisoners are almost always returned to prison for processing – something that can take weeks or even months - before they are finally released. In Ms. Hernandez' case, the judge ordered that her handcuffs be removed right in the courtroom and that she be allowed to leave straight from the courthouse to her awaiting family and friends. Ms. Hernandez was thus able, that day, to have her first taste of freedom in four years.

The media reporting was also an amazing example of what can be accomplished through meaningful education, outreach and activism.

The Channel 9 news story: "Freed from Prison" began by noting that "The case created a firestorm with doctors and women's advocates who rallied to the woman's side." Both print and television coverage noted that her release was met by the applause and cheers of family, onlookers, and supporters.

The entire Channel 9 news story was framed in a positive light. The correspondent on the Channel 9 story was asked to report about, "how authorities are now working to prevent another case like this from occurring." The correspondent began his report again referencing the experts: "Medical experts questioned whether the drug use actually caused the death of the baby, and the District Attorney heard those pleas and today asked that the prison sentence be suspended."

Kathleen Wallace, an Oklahoma City University law student, NAPW legal intern, and Oklahoma activist, appeared in the broadcast news report explaining, "It is bad precedent to charge pregnant women with a crime when what they did was try and take their pregnancy to term in spite of a drug addiction." According to Channel 9 news, "the district attorney agreed. . ."

District Attorney David Prater's actions and statements also indicated the extent to which education, outreach and activism made a difference. On the one hand, Mr. Prater stuck to the junk science story that pregnant women who use illegal drugs kill their babies, and the fable that imprisonment serves a social good by giving bad people like Ms. Hernandez a chance to prove themselves and to taking advantage of prison-based treatment programs.

(Surely, though Mr. Prater is aware of a recent case in which Oklahoma county had to pay $385,000 in damages to a woman who suffered a stillbirth as the result of horribly inadequate health care and treatment while imprisoned in the very same County Jail that Theresa Hernandez was held in for three years. )

On the other hand, Mr. Prater emerged as a meaningful spokesperson regarding the value of drug treatment and the need to increase access that treatment. On Channel 9 news, he said, "Drug and alcohol addiction is something that most people don't understand and that people need help in dealing with their drug and alcohol addiction." According to the Channel 9 news report, "Because of this case, Prater is now working to put a pilot program in place to divert pregnant women on drugs into treatment instead of locking them up. And state lawmakers will be asked to fund the program once it is developed."

Significantly, there has not been a single new OK County arrest of a pregnant woman or of a woman who suffered a stillbirth since the state-based organizing and education efforts began.

Nevertheless, while there is real cause to celebrate, there is no cause to stop working to ensure justice for pregnant and parenting women who struggle with drug problems. Although Ms. Hernandez was released to a treatment program, this was only made possible by a private benefactor willing to pick up the costs of her private treatment program – a program that may or may not facilitate her recovery and ensure that she will remain free.

The state needs to address the appalling lack of access to drug treatment and other services that will help pregnant women and families address drug and other health problems and stay together. On June 30, 2004 the Oklahoma Legislature established the Joint Task Force on Prenatal Addiction and Treatment. At their first meeting on Dec. 20, 2004, Sally Carter, an employee with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services reported, "More than 80 percent of pregnant women in OK who need substance abuse treatment do not have access to it." Nearly three years later, on May 23, 2007, the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Terri White, stated:

"Although we are making progress in providing better perinatal services to pregnant women addicted to drugs or alcohol, a large gap in access to services still remains. . . . Not enough resources are going toward this group of women, among the most vulnerable in our society. . . Greater access to services is key[.]"

For Ms. Hernandez's sake and the sake of so many other women and families, we need to keep the pressure on to ensure that health problems are addressed through the public health system, not the criminal justice system, and that supportive, accessible and appropriate services are fully funded and made available to the people who need them. In other words – treatment must become available not as a matter of diversion from the criminal justice system but rather provided as a matter of human rights.

We know that many of you are committed to developing new interventions, programs and policies to support pregnant and parenting women, and we look forward to continuing to work with you on these efforts.

Sincerely,

Lynn Paltrow, JD
Executive Director
National Advocates for Pregnant Women

To read the stories and see some of the video coverage, please visit:

1. http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=9382106Meth Mom in Stillborn Case Leaves Prison, (with featured video), News 9, staff and wire reports - News9.com, posted and updated: Nov. 19, 2008.

2. http://www.koco.com/news/18019393/detail.htmlRecovering Meth Addict Gets Second Chance, Teresa Hernandez's Unborn Baby Died From Her Drug Use, KOCO 5, koco.com, posted and updated: Nov. 19, 2008.

3. http://newsok.com/okc-meth-mom-wins-early-release/article/3323593OKC Meth Mom Wins Early Release: Woman Was Convicted of Murder in Her Unborn Son's Drug-Related Death, Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), Jay F. Marks, Nov. 20, 2008.

Denise Bode

Remember whenFormer Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode left to establish and run the American Clean Skies Foundation in Washington, DC (which is heavily financed by Chesapeake Oil Company)? It's purpose is to promote the use of natural gas. Well now she has changed jobs again and is promoting wind energy as CEO of the American Wind Energy Association.

State Representative Ann Coody Honored for Financial Literacy Program

The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education recently recognized District 64 state Rep Ann Coody with their "2008 Friend of Economic Education" award. A Lawton Republican, Coody is a former school teache who chaired the House Education Committee on Common Education. She authored HB1476 that created the "Passport to Financial Literacy" program in our public schools. The law became effective on July 1, 2007. Implementation began in the 2008-09 school year with 7th graders and will graudally expand to grades 7 through 12.

Theresa Hernandez Released from Prison - Yeah!

Pro-Choice Oklahoma reports today that "After almost five years in jail for having a still birth, Theresa Hernandez has finally been released to a addiction treatment center and her sentence reduced today." You can read their blog post and watch a video by clicking here. This woman should never have been incarcerated. I am delighted to see she has been released. Lose a baby, go to jail: only in Oklahoma! Kuddos to Oklahoma County District Attorney david Praster!

Carolyn Hart Book Series Based in Oklahoma

From Full Circle Book Store in Oklahoma City:

Carolyn Hart to Sign Newest Mystery Ghost at Work on Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Carolyn Hart returns to Full Circle to celebrate the release of her newest mystery Ghost at Work--which was just named as one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year."

Booksellers quickly learn that successful authors as a group are not necessarily easy to work with or always open to their readers. Carolyn is the exception. Oklahoma's most honored (and prolific) mystery writer is charming, articulate and wonderfully talented.

Ghost at Work is the debut of Carolyn's new heroine, the late Bailey Ruth Raeburn, and is her first mystery series set in Oklahoma.

Bailey Ruth Raeburn has always been great at solving mysteries. So why should a little thing like her death change anything? As a freshman member of Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, Bailey Ruth's first mission back on Earth finds her back home in Adelaide, Oklahoma. Turns out that Kathleen, the local pastor's wife, is in a fix. With Bailey Ruth's assistance - sometimes seen and sometimes not - Kathleen sets out to thwart a canny killer who has set a devilish trap for Kathleen and her husband.

Join us Thursday evening to visit with Carolyn and celebrate the release of her new series.

Shannon Miller Park (from Kelly)

There is a nice post about Shannon Miller Park in Edmond on the blog America As Seen By Kelly. Check out Kelly's post by clicking HERE.

Elaine Warner Visits Charles Banks Wilson

My friend Elaine Warner is a travel writer and her work takes her to wonderful far away places - and sometimes to nearby spots, too. She recently got to visit the art studio of Charles Banks Wilson and actually visit the the artist himself, too! (Name sound familiar? Think murals in the Oklahoma State Capitol building for starters.) Who knew Wilson painted naked ladies?!