OKLAHOMA CITY — Representative Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, received the 2022 Oklahoma Education Association Outstanding Legislator Award on Thursday (May 12).
Provenzano, a former educator, and public school administrator, began her journey to the Oklahoma House of Representatives when she participated in the 2018 teacher walkout, according to a press release from legislative staff.

“My biggest takeaway from 2018 was that there are thousands of Oklahoma teachers and community members who truly believe in public education,” Provenzano said.“I came to the Capitol to speak up for those people and many others who feel their voice isn’t being heard by their state government.”

The OEA Outstanding Legislator Award is presented to a legislator for what the OEA, the state’s largest labor union, describes as “outstanding support of public education and education employees.”

“It is a humbling experience to be recognized by a bipartisan organization made of educators that fight every day for all Oklahoma kids,” Provenzano said.“Seeing what our public school teachers do for kids every day is a powerful testimony to the dedication of this workforce. As I continue my legislative career, I will continue to look for ways to honor their commitment to Oklahoma students.”

Rep. Provanzano has worked with other legislators to seek a mandate from state government that insurance companies cover diagnostic mammograms. https://www.capitolbeatok.com/reports/oklahoma-representatives-provenzano-and-stanley-secure-legislative-approval-for-diagnostic-mammogram-insurance-mandate/

Last year, she was named a state director for Women in Government, a national group for women states legislators. https://www.capitolbeatok.com/reports/state-rep-melissa-provenzano-d-tulsa-named-state-director-for-women-in-government/

NOTE: Pat McGuigan — founder and publisher of CapitolBeatOK.com, an independent and locally-managed news service based in Oklahoma City — contributed to this report.