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Mary L. Easley

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This article is about the Oklahoma politician. For the First Lady of North Carolina, see Mary P. Easley.
Mary Easley
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 18th district
In office
2004–2010
Preceded byKevin Easley
Succeeded byKim David
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 78th district
In office
1997–2004
Preceded byFlint Breckinridge
Succeeded byJeannie McDaniel
Personal details
BornCassville, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTruman Easley
ChildrenKevin Easley
Residence(s)Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma materFriends University
Oklahoma State University
ProfessionTeacher

Mary L. Easley served as the Oklahoma Senator representing District 18, which includes Mayes, Tulsa and Wagoner counties from her win in a special election in 2004 until 2010. She previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1996 through 2004, representing District 78.[1]

Early life

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Mary L. Easley was born in Cassville, Missouri, where her parents were farmers. She grew up around the majority of her extended family and has fond memories of being raised in rural Missouri. After high school, Easley attended Southwest Baptist University. She met her husband, Truman, and moved to Wichita, Kansas, with him for his job at Boeing Aircraft. Easley completed her undergraduate degree at Friends University as well as began to work on her master's.[2] For about a year, she worked on her degree while teaching. After that year Easley went to Wichita State. Her first teaching position was in Valley Center, Kansas.

In 1967, the couple moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Easley began teaching in Owasso, Oklahoma and remained there for 24 more years. Easley taught English at Owasso High School.[3]

Oklahoma House of Representatives (1997-2004)

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Toward the end of her teaching career, Easley's son Kevin was a state senator. This started to inspire Easley to become involved with politics in order to attempt to pass legislation that she was concerned about. Soon Easley decided to retire from education and begin campaigning. Her campaign slogan was the same one her son used: "Easley the Best Choice." Easley was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1997. It was the first time that a mother and son served simultaneously, though Kevin was in the Senate at the time.[3] She served until 2004, when she took her son Kevin's Oklahoma Senate seat.

Committees

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  • Banking chairman

Oklahoma Senate (2004-2010)

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Kevin decided to leave office to pursue a different career and convinced his mother, Mary Easley, to run for his vacated seat.[4] Easley worked on passing several bills concerned with education during her terms in the Senate. She authored the Autism Insurance Bill, which did not pass. The bill would essentially help to provide insurance for families struggling with an autistic child. Easley was especially dedicated to bettering the education of children with disabilities.[5]

Committees

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  • Education committee
  • Vice-chair of the Energy committee
  • Vice-chair of the Transportation committee

References

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  1. ^ Darcy, R. and Jennifer Paustenbaugh, Oklahoma Women's Almanac, 2005 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Mary Easley's Biography". votesmart.org. Vote Smart. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b Finchum, Tanya (November 10, 2009). "Oral history interview with Mary Easley". Women of the Oklahoma Legislature. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  4. ^ Previch, Chad. "Legislator wins seat son vacated in Senate". No. April 7, 2004. The Oklahoman. online digital archives. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Senate Recognizes Special Olympics Oklahoma Family Of The Year". oksenate.gov. Oklahoma State Senate. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
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