"Jean Warner Is On A Mission"

Yup. I'm on page 31 of Oklahoma Today's September/October 2006 edition (aka CentennialCollectors Series: First of Eight). I can't show you a copy of the article so pick up a copy or order a copy.

WiLL and Laura Boyd

Among the many hats that former Oklahoma State Legislator Laura Boyd wears these days is National Field Director for the Women Legislators Lobby. WiLL is a national non-partisan network of women state legislators working together to influence federal and state policy and to promote women for elected office at state and federal levels. Approximately one-third of all seated-women legislators are WiLL members.

Say... How about a Women's Lobby for Oklahoma?

Anne McBride Mental Health Court

Kuddos to those working to establish the recently opened Anna McBride Mental Health Court in Cleveland County - especially district judges Bill Hetherington and Jequita Napoli. Former Judge Nancy Coates and OK Dept of Mental Health director Terry Cline worked hard to get one started in Oklahoma County. It is great to see the program spreading to other counties. It saves tax dollars while offering humane treatment to mentally ill citizens who have cross paths with the criminal justice system. Read the Norman Transcript story here.

Darcie Harris of EWF International

Today's Oklahoman has a nice half-page article about Darcie Harris and the company she co-founded, EWF International (formerly Executive Women's Forum). The firm hosts peer advisory groups or "Forums" where women business owners and top executives can discuss business issues in a confidential setting.

Vote Mary Fallin for US Congress Aug 22

Good for the The Oklahoman today for endorsing Lt. Governor Mary Fallin for the 5th Congressional District. Fallin's legislative experience will let her hit the ground running. She has a good understanding of all of Oklahoma's needs and interests. In this red state, a Republican is going to replace Ernest Istook and it should be Fallin - not her opponent. (And I don't want to hear about and supposed personal dirt on this candidate; she went through an unfortunate divorce a long time ago. Give it a rest. Let's run on the issues, please.)

It is time Oklahoma sent a woman to Congress. Women legislators conceptualize problems differently, are more likely to offer new solutions, are more responsive to constituent requests and much more (read the research findings on this here).

All that said, The Oklahoman had me at "Fallin's campaign has generally been clean..." Say no more. Know what I mean, wink, wink? Fallin is a good, honest candidate; she deserves your vote.

Senator Nancy Riley Switches to Democratic Party

Following the Primary Election, State Senator Nancy Riley announced she was switching from the Republican to the Democratic Party. She was an unsuccessful candidate for Lt. Governor. The switch is a big deal. Just increasing the number of Senators in the State Senate by one makes it a little harder for Republicans to "take over" the Senate (i.e., gain a majority of members). Counting Riley, there are now 26 Democrats to 22 Republicans. However, six Senate seats held by Democrats are open because those Democrats couldn't run for re-election due to term limits. She said she was switching because she feels there is no place in the Republican Party for moderates, because Republicans are undermining public education and because she feels the party has a lack of compassion for people. She also said part of her problem with the party was because she was a woman. (Could that mean the Republican Party is not women friendly? What party IS?)

Robyn Hilger - Oklahoma Teacher of the Year

Okahoma State Teacher of the Year Robyn Hilger is a Suma Cum Laude graduate from Oklahoma City University and holds a Masters Degree in Music. She is band and orchestra director at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School in Oklahoma City.

Anne Roberts to be Honored

Congratulations to Anne Roberts who has made such a difference in Oklahoma through the Oklahoma institute for Child Advocacy. She is one of five to be honored by HeartLine at their "Festival of Hope" event on September 7 at the Oklahoma City Golf and County Club. for more information, call 405-840-9396 or visit their website.

Where are the Women's Studies Programs in Oklahoma

I know of the following three women's studies programs in Okahoma and two "women's centers." Please let me know if there are others. Click on name to view ther website.
Oklahoma State University's Women's Studies Program
University of Central Oklahoma's Women's Studies Program
University of Oklahoma's Women's Studies Program
University of Oklahoma's Women's Outreach Center
University of Tulsa's Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature

Join Kim Henry Aug 16 to Promote Internet Safety

On August 16, Oklahoma's First Lady Kim Henry hosts "MyFamily.MySpace.MyResponsibility" - a day focused on promoting Internet safety for children and youth including a 7:00 a.m. First Lady's Prayer Breakfast at St. Luke's United methodist Church in OKC; a luncheon program at the Phillip's Pavillion for educators; and an evening program at St. Lukes. Reservations for the breakfast and evening program are preferred. For more information and how to register, click here.

Judicial Criteria & Judge Twyla Gray

When you voted for judges in the primary election, what criteria did you use? This spring, the Oklahoma County Bar Association asked over 4,700 local attorneys to rate the judicial candidates on honesty, intelligence, legal ability and expertise, unbiasedness (sic), temperament, courtesy, diligence and dedication. Voters returned Twyla Gray despite her poor score. I wonder if her refusal to accept campaign donations from attorneys mattered to voters. Congratulations on your re-election, Judge Gray. (I’d link you to the excellent story by Scott Cooper in The Oklahoma Gazette but they don’t seem have it on their website; go figure.)

Milena Govich a Rising Star

Oklahoman Milena Govich is going to replace Dennis Farina on Law & Order this coming season. Previous work has been on the televisions series Rescue Me and Conviction plus stage performances. Click here to read her bio.

Play About Te Ata to Premiere at USAO

A full length play with music based on the life of Te Ata (Mary Thompson, later Mrs. Clyde Fisher) will have its world premiere on August 5 in the Te Ata Memorial Auditorium on the campus of the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha, Oklahoma. In 1987, Te Ata (1895-1995) became the first person ever declared an "Oklahoma Treasure."

To watch a short video and learn more about Te Ata, this exciting new play and how to purchase tickets for performances August 5-13, click here or call 405-574-1213. To read a short biography of Te Ata at the Chickasaw Nation's website, click here or on the Oklahoma Women website, click here.

Fannie Lou, Rosa, Coretta Voting Rights Act Renewed by House

On July 13, the US House of Representatives not only (finally) renewed the Voting Rights Act (H.R. 9) but renamed it “The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.” 390 members voted "Aye," 33 voted "Nay" and 9 members did not vote. All 33 who voted "Nay" were Republicans -- mostly from Southern and border states. Blessedly, all 5 Oklahoma Congressmen managed to vote "Aye." For more, click here.

3 Women Make “50 Most Powerful” List

FRIDAY, the newspaper of Nichols Hills, has issued its annual list of the 50 most powerful Oklahomans. A list is sent to 250 statewide leaders (not themselves on the list) who are asked to select the 50 they consider most powerful. Individuals can also be written in. I suspect the vast majority of the voters are men who live in Central Oklahoma and are Republican. Of the 50 selected this year, there may be one or two who can claim some Native American blood but there are no blacks or Hispanics and only 3 women – Christy Everest, Mary Fallin and Kathy Taylor. To view the list of 50, click here.

Status of Women in Oklahoma

Oklahoma ranks near the bottom according to a recent study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. One in five women in Oklahoma has no health insurance. One third of Oklahoma's single mothers live below the poverty line. Click here to purchase a copy of The Status of Women In Oklahoma.

Emmy Nominations for Mullally & Woodard

Two women actors with Oklahoma ties -- Megan Mullally of “Will and Grace” and Tulsa native Alfre Woodard of “Desperate Housewives” -- have received Emmy nominations this year.

S i l e n c e

a poem by Anasuya Sengupta

Too many women in too many countries
speak the same language of silence.
My grandmother was always silent, always aggrieved
Only her husband had the cosmic right (or so it was said)
to speak and be heard.
They say it is different now.
(After all, I am always vocal and my grandmother
thinks I talk too much)
But sometimes I wonder.
When a woman shares her thoughts, as some women do,
graciously, it is allowed.
When a woman fights for power, as all women would like
to, quietly or loudly, it is questioned.
And yet, there must be freedom — if we are to speak
And yes, there must be power — if we are to be heard.
And when we have both (freedom and power) let us now be understood.
We seek only to give words to those who cannot speak
(too many women in too many countries)
I seek to forget the sorrows of my grandmother's silence.

Jennifer Paustenbaugh Chairs Commission

Dr. Jennifer Paustenbaugh is the new chair of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. More>>>

Commission on the Status of Women: New Officers

Officers for the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women for the coming year are:

Chair: Jennifer Paustenbaugh
Vice Chair: Catherine Haynes
Secretary: Lou Kohlman
Nominating Committee: Mary Walker and Anita Norman

The Chair of the Advisory Council will be Jilda Motley.

3 Oklahomans Compete In "Powder Puff Derby"

The 2006 Air Race Classic last week from Mesa, Arizona to Menomee, Maine included three women pilots from Oklahoma amongst the 68 women competing: Margie Richison of Norman, Carolyn Smith of Yukon and Heidi LaPine or Oklahoma City. Next year's race will start in Oklahoma City!

Lisa Pryor Begins 2nd Year As OK Demo Party Chair

Lisa Pryor recently began her second year as Chairman and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. When she first came in, the party had a debt of $524,000 (much of that from Brad Carson's failed run for the US Senate). That's down to $271,000 today. Yikes. Word on the street is she is doing a good job. Congrats, Lisa.
Addendum: Opps. Not "re-elected" ~ Lisa was elected for two years so is just starting the second half of her 2-year term. Click on "Comment" below to read more.

Purple Sash Draws 450 for YWCA

Congratulations to OKC YWCA President and CEO, Jan Peery (above left) and her staff and board for their Purple Sash fundraiser June 22nd which was a huge success. There were fun fashions by Southern Charm of Norman's owner/designer Kayne Gillaspie (above right). He is a competitor on season 3 of the TV hit "Project Runway" which begins airing in mid-June. (One of his models was OCU grad and N.E.W. Leadership alum Carri Perrier. United Way CEO Bob Spinks guided us through the evening beautifully. Lt. Mark Wynn's eloquent remarks on domestic violence reminded us why we were there: to raise funds for the YWCA's women's shelter. Two remarkable Oklahoma City women leaders were recognized ~ educator Joyce Henderson (above center) and civil rights pioneer Clara Luper pictured below with Jean Warner on the left and Nancy Randolph Davis on right. Davis is the first African American admitted to Oklahoma A&M College.

June 23: 34th Anniversary of Title IX Passage

Thank you, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, for your email reminding me that the landmark civil rights law that prohibits education and athletic programs that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of gender is 34 years old today. Pelosi said:

"Title IX has empowered hundreds of thousands of young women on the soccer field and in the classroom by ensuring equal opportunity for women and girls in athletics and education. Because of Title IX, young women's participation in athletics has increased 400 percent at the college level and 800 percent in high schools.

“But more importantly, because of Title IX, women and girls know that they can succeed not only on the playing field and in the classroom, but also in the halls of power and corporate boardrooms. Title IX has empowered countless girls and women to be stronger and bolder through a simple message: your education is crucial and your future is limitless."

The Bush Administration has issued a new ‘Clarification’ on Title IX that some fear creates major loopholes and lowers the standard for Title IX compliance. Keep a watchful eye on this issue.

Women's Equality Day

Guess who is responsible for the US Congress designating August 26 as "Women's Equality Day." This holiday celebrates women winning the right to vote. Read all about it at the National Women's History Project website.
PS - The answer is Bella Abzug who I had the priviledge of meeting at a Women's Political Caucus national convention. What a great lady. I've used the Wikipedia bio because you should know what a "wiki" is and be using this great resource.

Anne Roberts, Kaye Rote Honored

HeartLine's Festival of Hope 2006 September 9th will honor 5 Oklahomans making a difference including Anne Roberts (Oklahoma Institute for Child advocacy) and Kaye Rote (Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council).

Suzan Harjo - American Indian Activist

The Oklahoman has a nice story today about El Reno native Suzan Shown Harjo who they call a "poet, writer, lecturer, curator and policy advocate." Click on the title above to read the story.

Purple Sash is June 22nd in OKC

You are cordially invited to

Purple Sash
~ A Celebration of Courage ~

An Elegant Evening of Dinner, Fashion and Silent and Live Auctions
Benefiting the YWCA of Oklahoma City

Featured Guest Presenter Lt. Mark Wynn

2006 YWCA Embrace Award Honoree Joyce Henderson

2006 National YWCA Racial Justice Award Honoree Clara Luper

2006 Fashion Show Designer: Jonathan Kayne Gillaspie (Project Runway/Season 3)

Thursday, June 22, 2006 – 7 PM
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

To make reservations, call Sherry Hatherley at 405-943-7177

LuCelia Wise Dies at 92

Okahoma author Lu Celia Wise, passed away June 9, 2006. To read about her and the books she wrote, click here.

Lynn Schusterman to be Inducted

Tulsa philanthropist Lynn Schusterman will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame during the Oklahoma Heritage Association's 2006 induction ceremony this October. Tickets go on sale September 1; call 405-235-4458.