Catherine Heller Keating

Catherine Dunn Heller Keating is an American author, philanthropist, and politician who served as the First Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003.

Catherine Dunn Keating
First Lady of Oklahoma
In office
January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003
GovernorFrank Keating
Preceded byRhonda Smith Walters
Succeeded byKim Henry
Personal details
Born
Catherine Dunn Heller

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Political partyRepublican
SpouseFrank Keating
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keating married Frank Keating and became the First Lady of Oklahoma when he was elected Governor of Oklahoma. During her tenure she organized official ceremonies after the Oklahoma City bombing and ran for the United States House of Representatives in a 2002 special election. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.

Early life and education

Catherine Dunn Heller was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Harvey Augustus Heller Jr. and Francis Herndon. She attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in elementary education. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.[1] She was crowned "Miss Wool" of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas by Lieutenant Governor George Nigh.[2] In 1972 she married Francis Anthony Keating II.[3]

First Lady of Oklahoma and philanthropy

Keating served as the First Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003. She planned and organized the International Prayer Service after the Oklahoma City bombing. During her tenure she founded the Friends of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, Septemberfest, and created the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. She served on the boards of charities such as the Habitat for Humanity International Women's Build and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and has authored three books: Our Governors Mansions, Ooh La La: Cuisine Presented in a Stately Manner, and In Their Name.[2] She was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.[4]

2001 Congressional campaign

In April 2001 Keating announces her campaign for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district to succeed Steve Largent.[5] She advanced to a run-off alongside John Sullivan, but withdrew from the race citing a desire to not campaign negatively.[6] Her husband Frank Keating controversially called Tulsans "very dumb" for not supporting his wife's campaign.[7]

Electoral history
2001 Oklahoma's 1st congressional district Republican primary[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Sullivan 19,018 45.5%
Republican Cathy Keating 12,737 30.5%
Republican Scott Pruitt 9,513 22.8%
Republican George E. Banasky 296 0.7%
Republican Evelyn L. Rogers 210 0.5%
Total votes 41,774 100.00

References
  1. Cathy Keating Biography - Oklahoma Hall of Fame (Video). YouTube: Oklahoma Hall of Fame. November 16, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  2. "Cathy Heller Keating, Class of 2011". www.oklahomahof.com. Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. "Keating, Francis Anthony II". okhistory.org. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  4. "OCSW Names 2023 Women's Hall of Fame Inductees". oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. April 11, 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. "Keating Campaign Announcement" (Video). c-span.org. C-SPAN. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. Lindley, Tom (December 23, 2001). "Cathy Keating reflects on loss". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  7. Martindale, Rob (20 December 2001). "Cathy Keating resumes first role". Tulsa World. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  8. "Special Republican Primary Election — December 11, 2001" (PDF). oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
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