The Oklahoma Historical Society recently dedicated a new historical marker honoring Catherine Ann “Kate” Barnard (1875–1930), Oklahoma’s first woman elected to state office, during a ceremony at Guthrie City Hall.
Guthrie is the historic site where she and other state officials were inaugurated on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma was admitted to the Union as the 46th state.
Kate Barnard was the only woman invited to address the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention in Guthrie. “Kate’s planks,” as they were called, prohibited child labor, enacted a compulsory education law, and created the office of Commissioner of Charities and Corrections, to which she was elected in November 1907.
As part of her Commissioner duties, she was responsible for inspecting more than 300 hospitals, orphanages, and correctional institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony were OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and Connie Cronley, author of the award-winning book A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard. Attendees also enjoyed a fantastic reenactment by Morrison High School student Lexi Kruse, who performed “She Would Not Be Silent: Kate Barnard and the Cost of Reform,” which earned first place nationally for individual performance at the National History Day competition in Maryland.
“Guthrie is proud to be a place where so much of Oklahoma’s early history took place, and Kate Barnard’s story is an important part of that history,” said Eddie Faulkner, Guthrie City Manager.
“We are honored to have this marker here at Guthrie City Hall to recognize her legacy and help share her story with generations to come.” The City also extends its appreciation to the Oklahoma Historical Society for hosting the ceremony today at City Hall.
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