Celebrate the women of the world this March
March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and Oklahoma is home to more than a few historical figures.
The largely adopted theme for 2023, established by the National Women’s History Alliance, is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." It recognizes the impact of women in print and broadcast news, radio, the performing arts and more.
American operatic soprano singer, Leona Mitchell, was appointed by then-Gov. Brad Henry as Oklahoma’s State Cultural Ambassador. The songstress held an 18-season career leading spinto soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The Grammy Award-winner has been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, while also receiving honorary doctorate degrees from both Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma.
Te Ata Fisher, an Indian Territory-born storyteller, became a historical figure through her years of crafting Native myths, chants and rituals into programs to present to the world. Fisher earned a degree from the Oklahoma College for Women – now known as the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma – and performed around the world until the late 1970s. A member of the National Congress of American Indians, Fisher became friends with former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and served as the representative of Native Americans before H.R.H. King George and Queen Elizabeth of England.
You can find an expansive library of women’s histories on www.oklahomahof.com and www.okhistory.org, as well as by visiting local museums like Oklahoma City’s 99’s Museum of Women Pilots.
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