Commission on the Status of Women now accepting nominations for Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame


OKLAHOMA CITY – Nominations are now open for the 2017 inductees to the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW). The deadline to nominate an individual is January 16, 2017.
Inductees will be announced in February 2017. An official ceremony will honor the new inductees on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, in Oklahoma City.
Created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1994, OSCW’s mission is to improve the quality of life for women, families and children in Oklahoma.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor outstanding Oklahoma women,” said Linda Haneborg, chair of the 2017 Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, commissioner for the OCSW, and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2013.
“There are many women who are making a significant difference in the lives of Oklahoma women and families who need to be recognized in the Hall of Fame for future generations.”
Haneborg added, “The works of many Oklahoma women deserve great merit for the tremendous value and benefit they provide to women and children.”
Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame nominees must live in Oklahoma or be a former resident of the state. Current commissioners of the OCSW are not eligible.

The following questions should be considered in choosing a nominee:

-What enduring contributions has she made?
– How has she positively elevated the status and positively impacted women and girls?
– Has she helped open new frontiers for women and society in general?
– Is the community/state/nation or world better for the contributions of the nominee?
– Are people in general better because of the accomplishments of the nominee?
– Are women in the state, region, United States and/or world better? Has their status improved or opportunities increased because of the contributions of the nominee?
– Is her particular profession or field better because of the contributions of the nominee?  
– Various categories of disciplines, professions or fields may include but are not limited to: Arts, Business, Community Service, Public Service and Sciences.

Hall of Fame inductees in 2015 were La Donna Harris, American Indian leader; Mary Melon, president and chief executive officer of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools; Marion Paden, vice president for enrollment and student services at Oklahoma City Community College; Thelma Parks, civil rights, education and community leader; Ramona Paul (posthumous), education leader; Patty Roloff, former Oklahoma City 89ers baseball club owner; and Avis Scaramucci, entrepreneur and civic leader.
Nomination forms may be obtained by contacting the OCSW at ocsw@opm.ok.gov or by calling 405-522-6897. The nomination form and a list of former honorees are also available online at www.ok.gov/ocsw. 
And, visit here: 
https://www.ok.gov/ocsw/documents/2017_WHOF_Nomination%20Form_Revised.pdf

The nomination form and supporting materials should be mailed to: Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, Will Rogers Building, 2401 N. Lincoln Blvd, Suite E-1, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4904.  Submissions must be postmarked no later than January 16, 2017.
The Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame is one of several events sponsored by the OCSW to support its mission to improve the quality of life.
Established in 1982, The Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame (was formed under the administration of Governor George Nigh and is held every other year during odd numbered years. 
The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women is comprised of 27 appointed members who serve five-year terms.
Current Commission members include Maria Trapp – Braly, Chair; Gloria Torres, Vice Chair; Victoria Woods, Finance; Karen Sneary, Secretary; Adeline Yerkes, Advisory Council Chair; Lou Kohlman, – Immediate Past Chair; Kitti Asberry, Staff Executive Director; Valeska Barr; Brenda Jones Barwick; Karne Beighle; Beverly Binkwoski; Sarah Hummel – Brown; Rep. Lee Denney; Lydia Gonzalez – D’Ross; Sen. AJ Griffin; Linda Haneborg; Estela Hernandez; Denise Kinzie; Mary Larson; Jean Lehr; Shondra McCage; Amy McCord; Bernice Mitchell; Chris Moriss; Terry Neese; Rep. Jadine Nollan, and Pam Pollard.
For more information, www.ok.gov/ocsw for more information. (https://www.ok.gov/ocsw/)