Senator AJ Griffin a 2016 Elected Women of Excellence Honoree

State Sen. AJ Griffin has been chosen by the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) as a 2016 Elected Women of Excellence Award winner.

The NFWL’s Women of Excellence Award was created to identify women who’ve worked tirelessly, often breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, to serve their communities. Griffin’s accomplishments in the Oklahoma Senate show why she was chosen for this honor.

In just this past legislative session alone, Griffin authored a bill which, for the first time, will enable Oklahoma families to get help through their insurance for children with autism.  She also authored legislation named for Labor Commissioner Mark Costello to help families of adults suffering from mental illness to work through the courts to ensure they can get treatment for their loved one before a crisis occurs.  She also authored a measure closing a loophole in state law that had resulted in a sexual assault victim being denied justice on a technicality.  All were signed into law.

“It’s important to develop and enact public policy that supports Oklahoma families and better protects our citizens.  Whether we’re trying to protect children from dangerous predators or battle the state’s lethal prescription addiction epidemic, I think it’s critical to work as hard as possible to build consensus and get the job done,” said Griffin, R-Guthrie.  “I feel passionate about this, and to be given an award for doing the work I believe in is both a tremendous honor and extremely humbling.  I just feel grateful my friends and neighbors have entrusted me to do this job on their behalf.”

Griffin serves as the vice-chair of the senate majority caucus and energy committee.  She represents Oklahoma on the Board of Directors for the Energy Council and the Southern States Energy Board.  She has received recognition from numerous groups for her legislative work on substance abuse issues, child abuse, gun rights, and responsible energy policy.

Before being elected to the Senate, Griffin was an executive for not-for-profit businesses serving children and families.  She currently is a consultant providing guidance and planning for small non-profits.  She’s also a regular guest host on KOKC news-talk radio in central Oklahoma, and is live-streamed on the Internet.

The NFWL is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves as a forum for women legislators throughout the United States to be empowered through information and experience. The winners of the Women of Excellence award were nominated by their colleagues and constituents from their home states and then chosen by a distinguished panel of NFWL members.

The 2016 Women of Excellence winners will be honored at the Women of Excellence ceremony on Wednesday November 16, during the 2016 annual conference in Orlando, Florida.