Okie Women (Oklahoma Women's Network)

Tweets Re Some of My Favorite Deceased Extraordinary Oklahoma Women

2013-04-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

March was Women's History Month (womenshistorymonth.gov/about.html). During February 2013 -- which was African American History Month -- I had tweeted about extraordinary African American Oklahoma women. For March 2013 -- Women's History Month -- I decided to tweet on extraordinary Oklahoma women who are deceased. Below are those tweets:

Mildred Imach Cleghorn 1910-1997. Chair, Fort Sill Chiricahua/Warm Spring Apache Tribe 18 years ow.ly/j6SOK

Mona Sue Salyer Lambird 1938-1999. 1st female president of the Oklahoma Bar Association (1996) ow.ly/j6MfG

2nd female president of Oklahoma Bar Assoc = Stillwater attorney Melissa DeLacerda (2003)ow.ly/j6R5f ow.ly/i/1HJbx

Edith Kinney Gaylord 1916-2001. Pioneering journalist/philanthropistow.ly/j6GH3 ow.ly/j6GMK

Jeane Kirkpatrick 1925-2006. 1st woman appointed permanent US rep to United Nations (1981-85) ow.ly/j6FDP

Jessie Thatcher Bost 1875-1963. 1st woman graduate from Oklahoma A&M College - today's OSU - & OK's 1st woman graduate.

Read more about Oklahoma's Jessie Thatcher Bost at ohehs.org/hof/jessiebost…

Mary "Te Ata" Thompson 1895-1995. Chickasaw actress/storyteller. 1st person named Oklahoma State Treasure ow.ly/j6D88

Mabel Bassett 1876-1935 Politician, OK's 3rd Commissioner of Charities & Corrections 1923-1947 ow.ly/j6Com

Louise Fluke designed our state flag oksenate.gov/news/press_rel…

Pilot/Chickasaw legislator Pearl Carter Scottamazon.com/Never-Give-Up-…pearlthemovie.net

Eula Pearl Carter Scott 1915-2005. Chickasaw. Holds record of youngest pilot in US at the time of her 1st solo 9-12-29

"Sagebrush Artist" Augusta Metcalfe, 1881-1971, farmed 78 yrs in Cheyenne, OK; her paintings won nationwide acclaim

SxSW Google Glass panel included developer of contact lens version like in SIGHTvimeo.com/46304267 @leolaporte @TWiT@jeffjarvis

Lucille Mulhall 1885-1940 "America's Greatest Horsewoman;" her performance lead to coining the term "cowgirl" in 1905

Here are links to info on Okie horsewoman Lucille Mulhall: Book ow.ly/iub7w & good essayow.ly/iubi5

Ck out "Who's Rocking the Cradle?: Women Pioneers of Oklahoma Politics From Socialism to the KKK, 1900-1930" (S Schrems)...

Susan Ryan Peters from Anadarko, Oklahoma founded the Kiowa Indian School of Art ow.ly/iucZX...

Alice Brown Davis 1852-1935. Principal chief of Seminole Tribe 1922-1935; 1st woman to hold post ow.ly/iu8TE

Okie Mae Boren Axton had over 200 of her songs recorded. Her son was songwriter/singer/actor Hoyt Axton. ow.ly/iu78u

Mae Boren Axton 1914-1997. Songwriter best known for co-writing "Heartbreak Hotel," Elvis Presley’s 1st single on RCA

Bertha Teague, 1906-91. Basketball coach Byng HS Ada 1927-69. Career record 1,157 to 115; video ow.ly/iu5ld

Bertha Teague founded 1st girl's basketball clinic & camp in SW USA. Named Coach of the Decade for '30s, '40s & '70s ow.ly/iu5Ah

Perle Mesta 1890-1975. Socialite, Minister to Luxembourg 1949-1953. See "Perle: My Story" ow.ly/iu3MT

Perle Mesta was an ardent feminist, a member of National Women's Party, and helped start the World Women's Party.

Perle Mesta's social skills (aka Hostess with the Mostess) were inspiration for Irving Berlin's "Call Me Madame" ow.ly/iu4gY

Tulsan Sadie Adwon was 1st woman general manager of an Oklahoma TV station (KTUL). OK Broadcasters Hall of Fame 1989

Lamar Looney, 1871-1935. 1st woman elected to the Oklahoma Senate; served 4 terms (1920-1927) ow.ly/iu3pi

In 1926, Lamar Looney ran unsuccessfully for US Senate. She supported women's right to vote and, at age 52, was admitted to Oklahoma bar.

Bessie McColgin 1875-1972. 1st woman elected to Oklahoma House of Representatives (1920). See ow.ly/iu1Mv

Alma Bell Wilson 1917-1999. 1st female appointed (1982) to OK Supreme Court. See video vimeo.com/51239249

Alma Wilson earned her JD from University of Oklahoma in 1941 when less than 3% of US lawyers were women. See bio ow.ly/iu0oB

Winnie M. Sanger was Oklahoma's first female doctor (1904).

Alice Mary Robertson 1854-1931. 2nd woman in USA to serve in US Congress; 1st from Oklahoma ow.ly/itZ65

"Angie Debo: Pioneering Historian" by Shirley Leckie; PBS's great documentary "Indians, Outlaws, and Angie Debo" ow.ly/itYpZ

Angie Debo 1890-1988. Teacher, leading historian, scholar, & author on Indian history. See "And Still The Waters Run"

Kate Barnard, 1874-1930: 1st women in US elected to statewide office (OK Commissioner of Charities & Corrections 1907)

Zora Brown 1949-2013: Advocate 4 cancer research & breast cancer awareness among minorities ow.ly/isubS ow.ly/isujh

Okie songwriter Mae Boren Axton, 1914-1997, co-wrote Elvis Presley’s 1st RCA single "Heartbreak Hotel." 200+ of her songs were recorded.

Oklahoman Mae Boren Axton wrote the book "Country Singers As I Know ‘em." Her son was songwriter/singer/actor Hoyt Axton.

BOOK: Buckskin Calico and Lace: Oklahoma's Territorial Women

2013-04-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

In this book, Glenda Carlile profiles 18 Oklahoma women .. and.. an all women town, the Pioneer Woman statute and the Sisters of Mercy Catholic order. This fun read was

published in 1900 and reissued in 2008. Here is a link to the book on Amazon.com/.

http://www.amazon.com/Buckskin-Calico-Lace-Oklahoma-Territorial/dp/1581071353

First Women in Oklahoma Government Positions

2013-04-07T16:07:00.004-05:00

Please let me know who I have left off this list! Thanks!

1907 - Head of Charities and Corrections – Kate Barnard (elected)
1921 - State Senate – Lamar Looney (elected)
1921 - State House of Representatives – Bessie McColgin (elected)
1921 - US House of Representatives – Alice Mary Robertson (elected)
1946 - Secretary of State – Katherine Manton (appointive position)
1963 - State Auditor and Inspector – Imogene Holmes (appointed)
1979 - Corporation Commissioner – Norma Eagleton (appointed, then elected)
1982 - Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice - Alma Wilson (appointed)
1985 - Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals - Carol Hansen (appointed)

(Judge Hansen became first woman to serve as chief judge on any appellate court in Oklahoma)

1991 - Attorney General - Susan Loving (appointed)
1991 - State Insurance Commissioner – Cathy Weatherford (appointed)
1991 - State Treasurer – Claudette Henry (initially appointed?)
1991 - Superintendent of Public Instruction – Sandy Garrett (elected)
1993 - Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals - Reta Strubhar (appointed)
1995 - Commissioner of Labor – Brenda Reneau Wynn (elected)
1995 - Lieutenant Governor – Mary Fallin (elected)

2011 - Governor - Mary Fallin (elected)

Organizations Serving Oklahoma Women & Girls

2013-04-07T15:41:00.000-05:00

Here are some organizations in Oklahoma that support and/or promote women or girls in Oklahoma. Click on the title to view their Internet site. Please nominate other organizations; they don't have to have an Internet site to be listed.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA)/ Mid-Western Region

American Association of University Women/Oklahoma

American Business Women's Association/ Al-Lu-We Chapter (Bethany, Oklahoma)

American Business Women's Association/ Tulsa Chapter

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma

National Association of Women Business Owners (Central Oklahoma)

National Education for Women's (N.E.W.) Leadership

Oklahoma Bar Association/Women in the Law Committee

Oklahoma City University Women's Law Student Association

Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse

Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women

Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy

Oklahoma National Organization for Women

Oklahoma State University Women's Resource Center

Oklahoma State University Gender and Women's Studies Program

Oklahoma University Women's Outreach Center

Oklahoma University Women's and Gender Studies Program

Oklahoma Women Veterans Organization

Oklahoma Women's Coalition

Rural Enterprises, Inc's Women's Business Center

University of Central Oklahoma Women's Studies

University of Tulsa Women's Studies Program

YWCA Oklahoma City

YWCA Tulsa

YWCA Enid

Some Extraordinary Oklahoma Black Women

2013-03-03T18:21:00.000-06:00

I took a sabbatical but I am back. Here are some items that I posted last month on my Twitter account -- @jeanwarner - during Black History Month. They are all remarkable Oklahoma women who happen to be black. Tell me who I overlooked!
Interesting reading: Oklahoma City African-American Discovery guide by Kendrick Moore

In 2001, State of Oklahoma officially apologizes for 1921 Tulsa race riot; endorses reparations for the riot victims.

In 1980, President Ronald Reagan appointed Ms. Lennie Tolliver to be Director of the U.S. Commission on Aging.

Freddye Williams served on OK City Board of Education 1975-1979, OK House of Reps 1981-1990 ow.ly/hlYZj

1958 - Clara Luper and students participate in the first lunch counter sit-ins at Katz Drug Store in Oklahoma City.

Valree Fletcher Wynn. 1st black to teach at Lawton High School and at Cameron University. ow.ly/hlFMv

In 1970, Coretta Banks becomes the first African American to participate in the Miss Oklahoma Beauty Pageant.

Betty Hopkins Mason, 1928- Tulsan, 1st black & 1st woman Supt of OK City Public Schools, 1992-95 ow.ly/hlAez

Book: Journey Toward Hope: A History of Blacks in Oklahoma by Jimmie Lewis Franklin

Mazola McKerson. Owner Gourmet Restaurant, Ardmore. 1st black/woman elected to City Council & Mayor...

Willa Johnson-1st black woman elected 2 OK City Council, Ward 7; now OK County Commissioner. See ow.ly/hlDfA

1970, Coretta Banks becomes first black to participate in the Miss Oklahoma Beauty pageant.

Leona Mitchell, 1949- . Renowned African-American and Chickasaw operatic soprano. OCU graduate. ow.ly/hlEZy

Marie Rogers Gray (1900-1999). A life-long educator, she founded schools in Fay, Geary, & Eudora, Oklahoma.

Maxine Horner- With Vicki Miles-LaGrage,1st Black woman elected to OK Senate (1987). Helped found OK Jazz Hall of Fame

Anita Hill. Law professor's testimony addressed sexual harassment at Clarence Thomas hearing ow.ly/hlCG7

Judith Horton, told she couldn't use Guthrie's white library, founded 1st black library, Excelsior Library, in 1908.

In 1982, Democrat Shirley Darrell in Oklahoma County became the first black elected as a county commissioner.

Rubye Hibler Hall 1912-2003 1st black appointed to OK State Regents for Higher Education (1974-80) ow.ly/hlBu0

Okie Vicki Miles-LaGrange is Chief US District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma ow.ly/hl65D

Dorothy Moses DeWitty, 1926-2012, 1st black woman principal of Tulsa school & Tulsa City Council. ow.ly/hlaKz

Zelia Page Breaux 1880-1956 Musician/educator, influenced Charlie Christian. Co-owned Aldridge Theater ow.ly/hllmq

Juanita Kidd Stout, 1919-1998, 1st black woman admitted to OK Bar, served on PA Supreme Court ow.ly/hjI7v

Cleora Butler, 1901-1985, famed Tulsa caterer/restaurateur. Author "Cleora’s Kitchens" ow.ly/hlfa3

Emma Jones-Freeman won lawsuit against OK City School Board resulting in equal pay for teachers regardless of race

Check out this lovely interview with Rosa Parks on the Academy of Achievement site:achievement.org/autodoc/page/p…

Nancy Randolph-Davis educator, activist, 1st black student to enroll at OK State University ow.ly/hldwI

Hannah Diggs Atkins (1923-2010) 1st black woman in OK House of Reps. OK Secty of State, more: ow.ly/hlabl

Opaline Deveraux Wadkins 1912-2000 health activist helped desegregate nursing schools in Oklahoma ow.ly/hlcFB

Evelyn LaRue Pittman, 1910-1992, music teacher, choral conductor, composer of music drawn from black history

Beulah Jacobs Ponder was 1st black to work in Office of Governor; receptionist for Henry Bellman ow.ly/hlZkT

Lena Lowery Sawner, 1874-1949, principal of segregated Douglass HS in OKC, one of Oklahoma's first black activists.

Okie Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) was the world's 1st licensed black aviator. Read about her at ow.ly/hjH44

Okie educator Clara Luper (1923-2011) was pioneer in American Civil Rights Movement. Watch video ow.ly/hl6SC

Support Okie Film "Baking Alaska" via Kickstarter

2012-10-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

Heard of Kickstarter - the funding platform for creative projects?

Now YOU can use Kickstarter to support an Okie woman - documentary film maker Kari Barber - who is making a documentary film about two strong-headed Oklahoma sisters from Moore, Oklahoma who travel to Alaska to open a bakery.

Filming is complete and Kari has hired an Oklahoma composer and an Alaskan one. She hopes to have the film totally finished by January 1st and will be sending it for color and audio correction services in January to have it ready to begin submitting to festivals by February 1st and planning screening events next spring as well.

Funds raised through Kari's Kickstarter account will pay for the composer, sound and color technicians, and festival fees. Become a supporter of this fun Oklahoma film about Oklahoma women.

They need $10,000, have raised $2,400 and have 20 days to go! A $25 donation gets you a digital (downloadable) copy of the film. Give more and get other fun rewards. Check it out at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192822328/baking-alaska-almost-done?ref=card

Help Send Books to Impoverished Children in Meru, Kenya

2012-10-16T12:49:00.001-05:00

Last June, I completed my 40th month as chair of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition --- and stepped off the board. We hired a full time Executive Director, Kristin Davis, in February so OWC is in great hands. I decided I was suffering from "founder's syndrome" and decided to get out of Kristin way!

Which let me return to my OTHER passion -- mission service in Central Kenya.

Eight years ago a remarkable member of my church, Florence Mubichi, completed a Masters in Nursing and returned home to Kenya. Before leaving she said, "Come and see how God is working among my people.” So in 2005, I was part of an 18-member mission team that renovated a children's ward at Maua Methodist Hospital near Florence's home. While there, I asked church leaders, "If I brought a mission team to Meru, what would you most want us to do?" Eager to promote a culture of reading, they asked for a community library.

Through the United Methodist Church's Volunteers in Mission office, I led a mission team to Kenya in 2006 and two more in 2007. The teams and other friends of the Mubichi family built the library; sent over 20,000 children's books and textbooks; purchased furnishings for the library; cataloged 5,000+ books, and provided support staff to the board of the Miriam Kanana Mubichi Foundation (MKMF) which was founded by the Mubichis in 2003 after the tragic death of their middle daughter (see http://mkmf.org/).

Now I am working to ship 120 boxes to MKMF. The boxes contain children's books donated by Oklahoma students (for impoverished primary schools) and nursing textbooks donated by OU's College of Nursing (for the nursing school at Maua Methodist Hospital). Some boxes contain Florence Mubichi's personal belongings (she died March 22, 2010 from ovarian cancer while working on a PhD and teaching at OU -- see http://ow.ly/epT2P and http://ow.ly/epTf0 html).

A couple boxes hold teaching materials Dale and Sandi Troup will need once they reach Kenya October 23. You can read why they sold everything and moved with their 13 year old son to Kenya to volunteer with MKMF at http://thetroups.net/sandi/2012/04/kenya-longstory/. You can hear about all the things they will be doing in Kenya at http://thetroups.net/sandi/2012/04/mkmf/.

The boxes moved from my garage (see image) to a shipping firm to be weighed, measured and palletized. We anticipate the total shipping expenses to be $4,800. I have raised $1,400 so far.

I invite you to join in this wonderful mission effort. You can donate $10 or more through the Seeds of Grace Foundation website (http://www.seedsofgracesite.com/).This 501(c)3 nonprofit was formed in the USA to support MKMF's work. Or you can mail a check to Seeds of Grace, PO Box 9534, Naperville, IL 60564.

Whether this appeals to you or not, thank you very much for considering my request. You can follow MKMF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miriam-Kanana-Mubichi-Foundation/49684509342, read the Troups' blogs at http://www.thetroups.net/, and follow my Twitter account, http://twitter.com/MeruMission, about Meru and MKMF.

If you have questions, ideas, suggestions about this effort, leave a comment or email me at merumission@gemail.com.
:-)

Marilyn Murrell & Angela Monson to be Inducted in Hall of Fame

2012-08-02T13:08:00.003-05:00

On October 6, Okie women Marilyn Murrell, Angela Monson and Ophelia Gower (posthumously) will be inducted into the Oklahoma African-American Hall of Fame. The event will be held at the Jim Thorpe Museum and Event Center in Oklahoma City. See Ken Raymond's Oklahoman article "Seven to join the Oklahoma African-American Hall of Fame" at http://newsok.com/seven-named-to-oklahoma-african-american-hall-of-fame/article/3696134.

2012-07-06T12:16:00.000-05:00

I am in the midst of revamping this site so please bear with me. In the meantime, be advised that most of my "communication" takes place at Twitter.com/jeanwarner/. I would love for you to follow me on Twitter!

Kari Barber: Okie Filmmaker

2012-05-04T16:36:00.004-05:00

Do you know about filmmaker Kari Barber and her current project? A native of Moore, Oklahoma and a graduate of Moore High School and OU, Kari (http://www.karilbarber.com) is making a documentary entitled "Baking Alaska" about two sisters who leave their stable lives in Oklahoma to open a bakery in Homer, Alaska. She will be filming in Alaska this summer; the film should be completed in December. Here is the film's website http://www.karilbarber.com/baking-alaska.php ...

a completed Kickstarter video http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192822328/baking-alaska-a-documentary-film?ref=card/...

a recent interview http://www.ksbitv.com/all-about-you/with-kealey/Baking-Alaska-147615855.html.

and some ways to follow Kari's adventure as she makes this fun, inspiring documentary:

Blog (Tumbler): http://bakingalaska.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BakingAlaska

Twitter: @Baking_Alaska

Valerie Couch is Law Day Speaker

2012-04-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

Oklahoma City University Law School Dean Valerie Couch is the speaker for this year's Law Day luncheon, May 1, at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City. This lady ROCKS!

Couch received a B.A. degree from the University of California and an M.A. degree in English from the University of Oklahoma. She then earned her J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma College of law in 1983. She worked as a trial attorney with the Oklahoma City law firm of Hartzog Conger & Cason PC until 1999. At that time, she was appointed a Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma in 1999. Couch recently gave up her federal judgeship to become Oklahoma City University's 12th law school dean -- and the law school's first female dean. She had taught as an adjunct faculty member at the law school since 2001.

Source (article and photo): The Journal Record

Jasmine Pascoe gets perfect sore on ACT exam

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Edmond Memorial High School senior Jasmine Pascoe is one of only 704 students in the United States so far this year (out of 1.6 million) to earn a perfect score on her ACT exam. Way to go, Jasmine. See Edmond student hits perfect act score, nov 5, 2011.

Spc. Sarina Butcher first female OK National Guard soldier killed in combat

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

Not only was Sarina Butcher the first female Oklahoma National Guard soldier killed in combat, she was also the youngest Oklahoma National Guard member to die in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Sarina died November 1 when the vehicle she was driving as part of a resupply mission was struck by a roadside bomb in Paktia province in Afghanistan.

For more, see "Family, friends say goodbye to fallen Checotah soldier."

Image from http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-pfc-sarina-n-butcher/6568041

Mary Fallin, Jari Askins Documentary "First & Female"

2011-11-28T16:56:00.002-06:00

This Thursday, Dec 1, at 9pm, watch or record "First & Female" -- the documentary film produced by Oklahoma City’s deadCENTER Film Festival. It will be on OETA - Cox channels 14 & 713. Oklahomans interviewed include Rita Aragon, Gena Timberman, Jane Jayroe, Debby Hampton and several more Oklahoma women.

Judy Copeland Remembered

2011-11-28T10:00:00.001-06:00

We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the recent death of Oklahoma attorney and public servant Judy Copeland. Legal counsel to Governor Mary Fallin at the time of her death, Copeland was only 42 years old. Read her obituary here. Her untimely death from a stroke has many Oklahoma women determined to double their efforts on the "Go Red for Women" campaign which raises awareness about women and heart disease.

Okie Women Running Hospitals

2011-11-27T13:48:00.002-06:00

The Journal Record ran a lovely article recently on Cathy Hibbs who is CEO of Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born in Tulsa and raised in Miami, OK. After working in Texas and Kentucky, it is great to have her back home in Oklahoma!

Know any other women running hospitals in Oklahoma? If so, leave a comment and tell us about them, please!

Kathy LaFortune to be Honored

2011-10-29T20:03:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Tulsan Kathy LaFortune. She will be the 2011 recipient of the Oklahoma Psychological Association Distinguished Professional Service Citation at the annual OPA meeting in November. A licensed psychologist and attorney, LaFortune serves as Chief of Forensic Psychological Services for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. She is also an Adjunct Faculty Member in both the College of Law and the Department of Psychology at the University of Tulsa. She received a

OKC's Girlie (Art) Show 2012

2011-10-27T12:14:00.001-05:00

It’s only 9 days away! The 8th Annual Girlie Show is coming up! Is it on your calendar?
Here’s the scoop: Friday, November 4th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, November 5th, noon to 5 p.m.
Farmer’s Public Market in OKC

Friday features fab food from some of the finest area restaurants, so get there early and get some! (First 100 in the door get a Girlie goodie bag, too!)

Saturday there is live music from some of the hottest female musicians around; they'll be rockin’ the house all day.

Friday admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Friday ticket stub gets you in FREE on Saturday.
Saturday admission: $5. Tickets available at the door only. Kids 12 and under FREE.

Purchase tickets online at http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/thegirlieshow2011/okcfarmersmarket/oklahomacity/7742/

Or in person at Blue 7 on N. May & Grand and DNA Galleries in the Plaza District.

Donna Branson Inducted into Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame

2011-10-24T11:37:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Dr. Donna H. Branson who was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame at the 2011 induction ceremony October 11 at the Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame Museum in Oklahoma City. Here is the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society's write up on Dr. Branson:

Donna Branson has left a matchless record in the area of material design and construction of body protection clothing.

In 1972, she earned a Ph.D. in Family Ecology, emphasizing functional apparel design, from Michigan State University. She had already served as instructor at the University of Rhode Island and at Michigan State University for several years before she was hired as Associate Professor in the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at OSU in 1983.

She became Professor in four years and in 1992 was chosen Head of her department. Under her leadership, for nearly seven years (1998 to 2005), almost all faculty obtained external funding for their research projects, and she was instrumental in setting up the Christine Salmon Endowed Visiting Professorships. As well, Donna Branson has produced an inspiring record as a researcher.

She has co-authored 32 journal articles, 23 pamphlets and professional reports, refereed 86 presentations, and juried seven design exhibits or competitions. Over the years, she has obtained 28 grants and now owns one manufacturing license and has four pending patents. Much of this scholarly output has been related to designing body armor that protects against bomb attacks but still allows for mobility and temperature control. Her work has been instrumental in protecting United States soldiers in the Middle East.

For her work, she has been given the Mortar Board Outstanding OSU Teacher Award, the Marguerite Scruggs Award for Meritorious Research, the National Textile Center Scientific Excellence Adviser, Oklahoma State University Regents Professor, and in 2006, the Homeland Security Award.

Professor Branson retired from OSU in 2006 but continues to serve as the Director of the Institute of Protective Apparel Research and Technology in Stillwater.

For this marvelous record of research and service to state and nation, the OHEHS proudly inducts Donna H. Branson into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

Dana Weber Named 2011 Oklahoma Woman of the Year

2011-10-06T23:05:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Dana Weber (left) for being named "2011 Woman of the Year" by the Journal Record this evening. Weber is President/CEO and Vice Chairman of Webco Industries in Sand Springs. Under her leadership, she took her family's business from less than $20 million in sales when she started in 1971 to around $450 million today. In addition to her corporate success, Dana is active in the Tulsa Metro Chamber, The State Chamber of Oklahoma and Tulsa's Young Professionals and many other civic organizations.

Kudos to Mary Melon, President and Publisher of The Journal Record Publishing Company, for hosting the Woman of the Year Gala and the morning Forum - both extraordinary events! During the morning forum, we talked about our role models so I thought I'd have this picture taken in front of a protrait of my mother, Margaret McAvoy. In the image below, I am holding the special edition Journal Record magazine which contains bios on all 50 "women making a difference in Oklahoma." (The bio of Dana Weber (click to enlarge) is on the right). In addition, Terry Neese and Shelia O. Lee were honored this evening. AND - five women-serving organizations were honored -- Suited for Success, Work of Women (World Neighbors), the YWCA of Oklahoma City, Stand in the Gap Ministries, and the Women's Leadership Initiative. There were also five runners up: Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, Smart Start of Central Oklahoma, Legal Aid of Oklahoma, Inc and - - - - wait for it. . . (ta da) . . . the Oklahoma Women's Coalition!!! Yeah.

This year, the decorations, magazine cover and forum materials all bore the image of a peacock feather which is why they are in the floral arrangement (a take home centerpiece from the banquet) and the feather I'm holding in the picture below. All in all, it was GREAT day!

World Neighbor's "Work of Women" to be Honored October 4

2011-09-26T09:00:00.002-05:00

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

2011-09-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-09-19T08:00:00.002-05:00

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

2011-09-15T10:57:00.001-05:00

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

20 Tulsa "Women of Distinction" Honored Today

2011-09-13T16:42:00.003-05:00

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.