First Ladies and Gentlemen of Oklahoma
First Gentleman of Oklahoma | |
---|---|
Great Seal of Oklahoma | |
Incumbent Wade Christensen since January 10, 2011 | |
Style | Mr. Christensen |
Residence | Oklahoma Governor's Mansion |
Inaugural holder | Lillian Gallup Haskell |
Formation | November 16, 1907 |
Website | Office of the First Lady |
The 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 25 First Ladies and one First Gentleman.
The current (and 1st) First Gentleman of Oklahoma is Wade Christensen, husband of Governor Mary Fallin. First Gentleman Christensen has been in that position since his wife assumed office in 2011.
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 role of the First Spouse is the host of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. He or she 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. Incumbent First Gentleman Wade Christensen has mentioned his platform to revolve around sports in rural Oklahoma.
List
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Spouse Of | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lillian Gallup Haskell | 1907 | 1911 | Charles N. Haskell |
Vacant | 1911 | 1919 | Lee Cruce[1] Robert L. Williams[2] | |
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 | Donna Skinner Nigh | 1963 | 1963 | George Nigh |
16 | Shirley Osborn Bellmon | 1963 | 1967 | Henry Bellmon |
17 | Ann Smith Bartlett | 1967 | 1971 | Dewey F. Bartlett |
18 | Jo Evans Hall | 1971 | 1975 | David Hall |
19 | Janna Lou Little Boren | 1975 | 1975 | David L. Boren |
20 | Molly Shi Boren | 1977 | 1979 | David L. Boren |
21 | Donna Skinner Nigh | 1979 | 1987 | George Nigh |
22 | Shirley Osborn Bellmon | 1987 | 1991 | Henry Bellmon |
23 | Rhonda Smith Walters | 1991 | 1995 | David Walters |
24 | Catherine Heller Keating | 1995 | 2003 | Frank Keating |
25 | Kim Blain Henry | 2003 | 2011 | Brad Henry |
26 | Wade Christensen | 2011 | Present | Mary Fallin |