First ladies and gentlemen of Oklahoma

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.

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

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

Role

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

Oklahoma Territory

Name[1]Took officeLeft officeSpouse 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 Eva Shartel Ferguson 1901 1906 Thompson Benton Ferguson
9 Matilda Evans Frantz 1906 1907 Frank Frantz

Oklahoma (1907–present)

NameTook officeLeft officeSpouse of
1Lillian Gallup Haskell19071911Charles N. Haskell
Vacant19111919Lee Cruce[2]
Robert L. Williams[3]
2Isabelle Butler Robertson19191923James B. A. Robertson
3Madeleine Orrick Walton19231923John C. Walton
4Lula C. Strang Trapp19231927Martin E. Trapp
5Ethel Littleton Johnston19271929Henry S. Johnston
6Amy Arnold Holloway19291931William J. Holloway
7Mary Alice Hearrell Murray19311935William H. Murray
8Lydie Roberts Marland19351939E. W. Marland
9Myrtle Ellenberger Phillips19391943Leon C. Phillips
10Grayce Breene Kerr19431947Robert S. Kerr
11Jessica Grimm Turner19471951Roy J. Turner
12Willie Emerson Murray19511955Johnston Murray
13Emma Mae Purser Gary19551959Raymond D. Gary
14Jeanette Bartleson Edmondson19591963J. Howard Edmondson
15Shirley Osborn Bellmon19631967Henry Bellmon
16Ann Smith Bartlett19671971Dewey F. Bartlett
17Jo Evans Hall19711975David Hall
18Janna Lou Little Boren19751975David L. Boren
19Molly Shi Boren19771979David L. Boren
20Donna Skinner Nigh19791987George Nigh
21Shirley Osborn Bellmon19871991Henry Bellmon
22Rhonda Smith Walters19911995David Walters
23Catherine Heller Keating19952003Frank Keating
24Kim Blain Henry20032011Brad Henry
25Wade Christensen20112019Mary Fallin
26Sarah Hazen Stitt2019PresentKevin Stitt

Notes

  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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