Edmond Life & Leisure • November 4, 2021 • Page 15
Commission on Status of Women sees Governor give oath of office “Oklahoma women have led top posts in government, aerospace, medicine, military, and more for generations. Despite these accomplishments, there still aren’t enough women at the table. If you want to address Oklahoma’s problems successfully, you need involvement from Oklahoma women, which make up over half of the state’s population,” Jennifer Eckert, Advisory Council of the Oklahoma Commission for the Status of Women, says. Fortunately, now the future for Oklahoma looks much brighter because a group of powerhouse women are gaining momentum in their mission. For the first time the Governor, Governor Kevin Stitt administered the oath of office during a recent ceremony at the Oklahoma Judicial Center. Receiving the oath were State Chair, Victoria Woods, Vice-Chair Molly Wehrenberg, Financial Officer, Shondra McCage, Secretary, Karen Sneary, and Advisory Council Chair, Dr. Nyla Khan. Advisor to the Executive Board is Dr. Delores Runnels, Immediate Past Chair. Victoria Woods was first appointed Commissioner in 2013, by former Governor Mary Fallin, and reappointed by Governor Kevin Stitt. She has served as Financial Officer for the Commission. Woods is founder and CEO of ChappelWood Financial Services, a company creating customized strategies for millionaires and aspiring millionaires. Next to Gov. Stitt is Victoria Woods, a financial consultant Known as The Financial Diva, Victoria is from Edmond. an author, and radio show host. She was named the National Association of Health’s diabetes program. She is a Certified Women Business Owners “Best of the Best,” one Health Education Specialist. of Oklahoma City's Journal Record's 50 Most InfluKaren Sneary was appointed Commissioner ential Women, Innovator of the Year, National in 2012 and reappointed in 2017 by Former GoverCommunity Inspiration Award, and Global Wealth nor Mary Fallin. She is the Director of Student Advisor in Athens Greece. “It is an honor , and I Services at Canadian Valley Technology Center for am super excited to lead Commissioners who bring the Cowan Campus in Yukon. She has served as such talent, skills, resources and relationships to Secretary and Chairperson of the Advisory Council. the Commission. We have huge goals, and it takes Dr. Nyla Ali Khan was appointed Commissioner us all, because We are, Better Together!”, said in 2018 by Senate President Pro Tempore, Greg Woods. Treat. Prior to her appointment, she served on the Molly Wehrenberg was appointed Commissioner OCSW Advisory Council. She is a faculty member in 2019 by President Pro Tempo Greg Treat. Prior at Rose State College, a visiting professor at the to her appointment as Commissioner, she served University of Oklahoma, and former Associate proon the OCSW Advisory Council. A Transplanted fessor at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She is New Mexican, Molly first came to Oklahoma to the author of several books. pursue a nursing degree at St. Anthony’s School of Dr. Delores Runnels was appointed CommisNursing and Oklahoma City University. She besioner in 2018 by Senate President Pro Tempore, came the head nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital Eye Greg Treat. Prior to her appointment, she served Surgery Unit, and after retirement enjoyed Spanish on the OCSW Advisory Council. She is the translating for eye surgeons doing surgery on nonfounder of Career Daze, a nonprofit organization English-speaking patients. focused on connecting the classroom with the real Shondra McCage was appointed Commissioner world. in 2013 by the Speaker of the House T.W. ShanWith the direction the Commission on the Stanon and reappointed in 2018 by Speaker Charles tus of Women is taking, it will be incredible to see McCall. She is an enrolled Chickasaw citizen and Oklahoma women empowered and given their works for the Chickasaw Nation Department of voices..
2020 census due discussion Nov. 17 The 2020 census was, and still is, a subject of controversy and litigation. The need to count the people and the desire for privacy seem to be in conflict. The pandemic only added to the problem. Were the questions asked this year so different from the census in years past? Why were certain questions asked every year and what do the answers tell us about our ancestors and our country? On Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m., the Oklahoma Home and Education Genealogy group will host members Karen Flagg, vehoae-Shirl Yancey and group President Jan Beattie as they present “Making Sense of the Census.” The public is invited to join as we explore the census through the decades and find what secrets and clues each census can tell us about our families past and our nation’s development. The program will be held at the Oklahoma County Extension building, 2500 SE 63rd St. Masks are strongly encouraged and social distancing will be maintained. For more information, and to request a link to join us via ZOOM, please check our page on Facebook: ohcegenealogy or our website:www.ohcegenealogy.com.
