Created as a state commission in 1994, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is committed to improving the lives of Oklahoma women and girls.
“The Commission is the official voice for women at the state capitol, serving in an advisory capacity to the governor, legislature and state agencies on quality of life and economic opportunity issues,” says Brenda Jones Barwick, founder of Jones PR and the OCSW chair through 2025.
Barwick says that most of OCSW’s accomplishments are realized by raising awareness of challenges women face, and then fulfilled through legislation and creation of non-profits that provide specific services for women.
For example, in conjunction with certified partners, OCSW has worked to explain the types of human trafficking prevalent in Oklahoma, and to assist with highlighting barriers to data collection. As well, OCSW has called attention to the resources Oklahoma needs to rehabilitate human trafficking survivors.
“The areas where the Commission has had the most success include raising the alarm on human trafficking ten years ago,” Barwick says. “Today, there are at least six organizations providing services to survivors.”
Oklahoma remains the state with the highest female incarceration rates. However, OCSW has purposed to reduce the rate of non-violent, low-risk women offenders, while enhancing public safety. Barwick says OCSW has “reduced the incarcerated population of women from No. 1 in the world” through a public agenda action plan.
OCSW has also worked to make some domestic violence-related crimes felonies. And through a non-partisan statewide initiative – designed to assist Oklahoma women who are interested in reaching political parity through government appointments – OCSW identifies, recommends and encourages women to apply for appointments to statewide agency boards and commissions.
“OCSW conducted community conversations statewide, encouraging women to be counted in the 2020 census,” says Barwick. “Most recently, OCSW hosted a summit that resulted in legislation to help women gain access to affordable childcare.”
Barwick says the OCSW biennial Solutions, Initiatives, Strategies (SIS) Summit is the most important programming conducted by the Commission. “It brings together the top subject matter experts on one specific topic that is most concerning to women at that particular moment in time,” says Barwick. “Following the summit, a report to the governor and the legislature is provided on policy and legislation recommendations to address the specific issue that is a barrier to women pursuing quality of life and economic opportunities. OCSW has hosted SIS summits on healthcare, mental health, domestic violence, childcare services, obesity, incarceration, and human trafficking.”
The Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame
Established in 1982 by Governor George Nigh and sponsored by OCSW, the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame honors Oklahoma women who align with the OCSW’s mission to “improve the quality of life for women, children and families in Oklahoma.” Inductees are often pioneers in their fields, and have made significant contributions to Oklahoma while serving as role models to others.
The 2024 HOF class includes Nancy Anthony, Marilyn Maurer Hugon, Edie Roodman, Jane Semple Umsted, Crystal Stovall and Molly Wehrenberg. They were inducted in late September.
“The inductees are selected among nominations submitted by the public by a committee that comprises notable women who lead businesses, leadership organizations, and former inductees,” says Barwick.
