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First ladies and gentlemen of Oklahoma

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First Lady of
Oklahoma
Great Seal of Oklahoma
since January 10, 2019
StyleMrs. Stitt
ResidenceOklahoma Governor's Mansion
Inaugural holderLillian Gallup Haskell
FormationNovember 16, 1907
WebsiteOffice of the First Lady

First Lady or First Gentleman of Oklahoma is the title held by the spouse of the sitting governor of Oklahoma. The first lady or first gentleman serves as the official host of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. As of 2011, there have been 26 first ladies and one first gentleman.

The current (and 26th) first lady of Oklahoma is Sarah Hazen Stitt, wife of Governor Kevin Stitt. First Lady Hazen has been in that position since her husband assumed office in 2019.

Role

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The position of the first spouse is not an elected one, carries no official duties, and receives no salary. However, the first spouse holds a highly visible position in state government. The first spouse is the host of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion and organizes and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the Governor.

It is common for the governor's spouse to select specific, non-political, causes to promote. For instance, former first lady Kim Henry had taken up promoting early childhood education. Former first gentleman Wade Christensen mentioned his platform revolved around sports in rural Oklahoma.

List

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Oklahoma Territory

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Name[1] Took office Left office Spouse of
1 Marietta Swayzee Steele 1890 1891 George Washington Steele
2 Ada S. Gilmore Martin 1891 1892 Robert Martin (acting)
— Vacant 1892 1893 Abraham Jefferson Seay
3 Jennie B. York Renfrow 1893 1897 William Cary Renfrow
4 Mary Elizabeth Bartlett Barnes 1897 1901 Cassius McDonald Barnes
5 Delphina White Jenkins 1901 1901 William Miller Jenkins
6 Mary Cleaver Grimes 1901 1901 William C. Grimes (acting)
7 Elva Shartel Ferguson 1901 1906 Thompson Benton Ferguson
9 Matilda Evans Frantz 1906 1907 Frank Frantz

Oklahoma (1907–present)

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Name Took office Left office Spouse of
1 Lillian Gallup Haskell 1907 1911 Charles N. Haskell
— Vacant 1911 1919 Lee Cruce[2]
Robert L. Williams[3]
2 Isabelle Butler Robertson 1919 1923 James B. A. Robertson
3 Madeleine Orrick Walton 1923 1923 John C. Walton
4 Lula C. Strang Trapp 1923 1927 Martin E. Trapp
5 Ethel Littleton Johnston 1927 1929 Henry S. Johnston
6 Amy Arnold Holloway 1929 1931 William J. Holloway
7 Mary Alice Hearrell Murray 1931 1935 William H. Murray
8 Lydie Roberts Marland 1935 1939 E. W. Marland
9 Myrtle Ellenberger Phillips 1939 1943 Leon C. Phillips
10 Grayce Breene Kerr 1943 1947 Robert S. Kerr
11 Jessica Grimm Turner 1947 1951 Roy J. Turner
12 Willie Emerson Murray 1951 1955 Johnston Murray
13 Emma Mae Purser Gary 1955 1959 Raymond D. Gary
14 Jeanette Bartleson Edmondson 1959 1963 J. Howard Edmondson
15 Shirley Osborn Bellmon 1963 1967 Henry Bellmon
16 Ann Smith Bartlett 1967 1971 Dewey F. Bartlett
17 Jo Evans Hall 1971 1975 David Hall
18 Janna Lou Little Boren 1975 1975 David L. Boren
19 Molly Shi Boren 1977 1979 David L. Boren
20 Donna Skinner Nigh 1979 1987 George Nigh
21 Shirley Osborn Bellmon 1987 1991 Henry Bellmon
22 Rhonda Smith Walters 1991 1995 David Walters
23 Catherine Heller Keating 1995 2003 Frank Keating
24 Kim Blain Henry 2003 2011 Brad Henry
25 Wade Christensen 2011 2019 Mary Fallin
26 Sarah Hazen Stitt 2019 Present Kevin Stitt

Notes

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  1. ^ Paustenbaugh, Jennifer (2003). "Oklahoma's First Ladies from Territorial Days to the Present Time". ojs.library.okstate.edu. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. ^ Governor Cruce was a widower at the time of taking office.
  3. ^ Governor Williams never married.
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