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Object Description
| Rating | |
| Title | Oral history interview with Cleta Deatherage Mitchell |
| Interviewee | Mitchell, Cleta Deatherage |
| Interviewer | Finchum, Tanya |
| Interview Date | 6/21/2007 |
| Abstract | Cleta (Deatherage) Mitchell is among the few women who have served in the Oklahoma state legislature; elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1976, served through 1984; reared in northeast Oklahoma City; attended the University of Oklahoma earning a law degree; was a legal assistant at the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission; running for the Legislature; going to vote with her mother as a young child; interested in politics at a very young age; student council and student government; lost the run-off for student body president at the University of Oklahoma; lost run-off for lieutenant governor; interested in politics and journalism; would race home from school to watch President Kennedys press conferences; Margaret Chase Smith as a role model; involved in campaigns and womens issues; Equal Rights Amendment; Commission on the Status of Women; one of the five original conveners of the Oklahoma Womens Political Caucus; running for office; grass roots campaign; a postcard campaign; beating an incumbent; mentor; young, opinionated blond from Norman; chairman of the Appropriations Committee; education reform; State Capitol Preservation Commission; restoration of the House of Representatives; efforts toward the passage of the open meetings law; learning the rules; reading bills; political philosophy; first woman to serve on the Rules Committee in the House; choosing not to seek reelection; moving to Washington to run a non-profit legal foundation working on term limits; running for Lieutenant Governor; creation of the Displaced Homemaker Centers; universal pre-school; life after elective office; advice for women considering running for elective office. |
| Subject | Mitchell, Cleta Deatherage , 1950- ; Legislators --Oklahoma ; Oklahoma --Politics and government ; Oklahoma. Legislature ; Oklahoma. Legislature. House of Representatives ; Women in politics --Oklahoma |
| Description | Cleta Deatherage Mitchell was interviewed June 21, 2007 as part of the Women of the Oklahoma Legislature Oral History Project. Mrs. Mitchell (Deatherage while serving) was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1976 and served through 1984. She held the House District 44 seat and was a member of the Democratic Party. She grew up in northeast Oklahoma City, attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned a law degree. She shares memories of running for office, sponsoring legislation, and having various mentors during her legislative career. Mrs. Mitchell discusses some of the issues she championed while serving such as womens issues, education reform, universal pre-school, and preservation of the Oklahoma Capitol. |
| Digital Publisher | OOHRP-Oklahoma State University Library |
| Collection | Women of the Oklahoma Legislature |
| Interview Number | WOL_012 |
| Rights | This material may not be copied or reproduced without permission. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at liboh@okstate.edu or call 405-744-7685. |
| Identifier | oralhistwol |
Description
| Title | Full Transcript |
| Interviewee | Mitchell, Cleta Deatherage |
| Interviewer | Finchum, Tanya |
| Interview Date | 6/21/2007 |
| Abstract | Cleta (Deatherage) Mitchell is among the few women who have served in the Oklahoma state legislature; elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1976, served through 1984; reared in northeast Oklahoma City; attended the University of Oklahoma earning a law degree; was a legal assistant at the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission; running for the Legislature; going to vote with her mother as a young child; interested in politics at a very young age; student council and student government; lost the run-off for student body president at the University of Oklahoma; lost run-off for lieutenant governor; interested in politics and journalism; would race home from school to watch President Kennedys press conferences; Margaret Chase Smith as a role model; involved in campaigns and womens issues; Equal Rights Amendment; Commission on the Status of Women; one of the five original conveners of the Oklahoma Womens Political Caucus; running for office; grass roots campaign; a postcard campaign; beating an incumbent; mentor; young, opinionated blond from Norman; chairman of the Appropriations Committee; education reform; State Capitol Preservation Commission; restoration of the House of Representatives; efforts toward the passage of the open meetings law; learning the rules; reading bills; political philosophy; first woman to serve on the Rules Committee in the House; choosing not to seek reelection; moving to Washington to run a non-profit legal foundation working on term limits; running for Lieutenant Governor; creation of the Displaced Homemaker Centers; universal pre-school; life after elective office; advice for women considering running for elective office. |
| Subject | Mitchell, Cleta Deatherage , 1950- ; Legislators --Oklahoma ; Oklahoma --Politics and government ; Oklahoma. Legislature ; Oklahoma. Legislature. House of Representatives ; Women in politics --Oklahoma |
| Description | 25 pages |
| Format | application/.pdf |
| Digital Publisher | OOHRP-Oklahoma State University Library |
| Collection | Women of the Oklahoma Legislature |
| Interview Number | WOL_012 |
| Rights | This material may not be copied or reproduced without permission. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at liboh@okstate.edu or call 405-744-7685. |
| Identifier | oralhistwol |
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