"Women Change Oklahoma" Oklahoma Women's Summit 2006

By Ann Houston
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech

The second Oklahoma Women's Summit sponsored by Gov. Brad Henry and the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was held April 28 at the State Capitol Building. This year's theme, "Women Change Oklahoma," highlights the difference women are making across the state.

"The Summit's goal is to stimulate changes in state policies and create initiatives to benefit women statewide," said Gov. Brad Henry. "It will bring together citizens and community and state leaders to address topics and issues relating to women."

Event co-chairs are Lou Kohlman, staff attorney for Presiding Judge Charles S. Chapel, Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and Fern Bowling, equity and diversity specialist at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. They are members of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women Advisory Council.

Patricia Presley, chair of the Commission on the Status of Women opened the summit with Gov. Henry delivering the keynote address on the many roles of women in Oklahoma.

A plenary session on the state of women's health in Oklahoma included Sen. Angela Monson and Cedar Jackson from the Department of Health. Participants also attended breakout sessions including: Aging and Eldercare, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, Wellness and Lifestyle, An Update on Incarcerated Women, Alternatives to Incarceration, Re-entry Into Society and Transitioning from Prison, Oklahoma Women's Almanac Trends and Historical Overview, Resources for Change - Positioning Women for Power, and Building Coalitions for Change.

The final session featured extraordinary women in leadership positions with guest speakers Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon and Langston University President Jo Ann W. Haysbert.

For more information contact ocsw@opm.ok.gov or okwomensummit@sbcglobal.net, by calling (405) 522-6897, or by writing Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, 2101 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK  73105-4904.