Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame

Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by Oklahoma Governor George Nigh "to honor Oklahoma women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma; who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma; who serve or have served as role models to other Oklahoma women; who may be "unsung heroes," but have made a difference in the lives of Oklahomans or Americans because of their actions; who have championed other women, women's issues, or served as public policy advocates for the issues important to women; and who exemplify the Oklahoma spirit." ^[1]

The Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame is one of several events sponsored by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women to support its mission, "To improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma." ^[2]

Eligibility requirements

• Must be a woman who has either lived in the State of Oklahoma for a major portion of her life or who is easily identified as an Oklahoman;
• Must not be a current member of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women;

And shall include:

• Women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma.
• Women who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma.
• Women who serve or have served as role models to other Oklahoma women.
• Women who may be "unsung heroes" but have made a difference in the lives of Oklahomans or Americans because of their actions.
• Women who have championed other women, women's issues, or served as public policy advocates for the issues important to women.
• Women who exemplify the Oklahoma spirit.^[3]

Inductees

1982: Hannah Diggs Atkins, Kate Barnard, June Brooks, Gloria Stewart Farley, Aloysius Larch-Miller, Susan Ryan Peters, Christine Salmon, Edyth Thomas Wallace.

1983: Zelia N. Breaux, Kate Frank, Leona Mitchell, Dr. Jean Pitts, Judge Juanita Stout, Judge Alma Wilson.

1984: Angie Debo, Jeane Duane Kirkpatrick, Jewell Russell Mann, Zella J. Patterson.

1985: Mae Boren Axton, June Tompkins Benson, Pam Olson, Betty Durham Price, Bertha Frank Teague.

1986: Sara Ruth Cohen, Vinita Cravens, Rubye Hibler Hall, Elizabeth Ann McCurdy Holmes, Grace Elizabeth Hudlin, Wilma P. Mankiller, Edna Mae Phelps, Evelyn La Rue Pittman.

1993: Marie Cox, Anita Faye Hill, Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski, Jacqulyn C. Longacre, Shannon Lucid, Clara Luper, Opaline Deveraux Wadkins, Pat Woodrum.

1995: Nancy Goodman Feldman, Barbara J. Gardner, Ruthe Blalock Jones, Mona Salyer Lambird, Gloria Grace Langdon, Bernice Compton Mitchell, Donna Nigh.

1996: Representative Betty Boyd, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, Lela Foreman, Sandy Ingraham, Lorena Males, Senator Bernice Shedrick, Valree Fletcher Wynn.

1997: Isabel Keith Baker, Jessie Thatcher Bost, Norman Eagleton, Kay Goebel, Ruth Gilliland Kistler Hardaman, Beverly Horse, Mazola McKerson, Senator Penny Baldwin Williams.

2001: Representative Jari Askins, Shirley Bellmon, Dorothy Moses DeWitty, Sandy Garrett, Lynn Jones, Justice Yvonne Kauger, Jill Zink Tarbel, Dana Tiger.

2003: Esther Houser, Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Linda Morrissey, Lynn Schusterman, Donna Shirley.

2005: Wanda L. Bass, Judge Nancy L. Coats, Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, Amelia Elizabeth “Bessie” Simison McColgin, Jeanine Rhea, Judge Stephanie Kulp Seymour.^[4]

2007: Sherri Coale, Ginny Creveling, Dr. Joe Anna Hibler, Maxine Horner, Dr. Kay Martin, Terry Neese, Claudia Tarrington, Dr. Carolyn Taylor, Della Warrior.^[5]

2009: Major General Rita Aragon, Suzanne Edmondson, Edna Hennessee, First Lady Kim Henry, Marabeau Looney, Secretary of State Susan Savage, Carolyn Whitener.^[6]

2011: Dr. Laura Boyd, Chloe Brown, Joy Culbreath, Marcia Mitchell, Ardina Moore, Dr. Cynthia Ross, Kathy Taylor, Helen Harrod Thompson. ^[7]

See also

• National Women's Hall of Fame
• Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
• New Jersey Women's Hall of Fame
• Ohio Women's Hall of Fame

References

1. ^ Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame website
2. ^ OCSW website
3. ^ Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame Guidelines
4. ^ Darcy, R. and Jennifer Paustenbaugh, Oklahoma Women's Almanac
5. ^ "Nine Oklahoma Women to be New Inductees, 2007", I Believe in Oklahoma website
6. ^ "Seven Women to be Inducted into Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, 2009", The Journal Record.
7. ^ "2011 Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame Inductees", "The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women".

External links

• Photo Archive of 2007 Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony
• National Women's Hall of Fame, Women of the Hall
• Voices of Oklahoma interview with Lynn Schusterman. First person interview conducted on September 14, 2010 with Lynn Schusterman. Original audio and transcript archived with Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.