WOTOL poster

Women Elected to Serve in the Oklahoma Legislature
Dr. Tanya Finchum • Associate Professor/Oral History Librarian • Oklahoma State University Library
Oklahoma Oral History Research Program
Women of the Oklahoma Legislature
Chronicling the lives of women involved in the
legislative arena, this project captures and
records information about women who have
served or are currently serving in the
Oklahoma Legislature in their own voices.
Discoveries
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The first two women were elected in 1920
– one to each chamber.
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During the 1930s and 1950s no women were
elected to serve.
Statistics
Background
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Identified gap in documented history
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Developed working list of names
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Gathered contact information
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Formed virtual advisory committee
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Developed question guide
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Received Institutional Review Board Approval
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Began interviewing December 2006
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Launched Website February 2009
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Added curriculum Summer 2009
Longest term: 24 years
Roughly 1/3 served 4 years or less
Democrats = 44
Republicans = 32
Switch = 1
House = 57
Senate = 15
Both =5
2 - Lt. Governors
1 - U.S. Congress
Topics
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Life prior to and after serving
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Campaign strategies and stories from the trail
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Issues championed
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Election day and swearing in day
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Presenting first bill in the chamber
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Gender issues
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Typical day
Collection Includes
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46 interviews
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Transcripts, audio excerpts, memorabilia
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Photographs of all 77 women legislators
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Website
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Curriculum
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Mini poster PDF
Lessons
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Listening and negotiating skills a plus
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Reading - 300 to 400 bills per session
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Every vote counts only once
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Don’t campaign during sporting events
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Not a 9 to 5 / 4 months a year job
Favorite Campaign Quotes
“I’d rather be Lead’en with Weedn than out on
a limb with a Branch.”
"Went after the opponent like ‘going after a
gnat with a cannonball.’”
www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory/wotol