Sen. Floyd receives Guardian Award for legislative efforts on behalf of Oklahoma women and families

State Sen. Kay Floyd has been awarded the 2017 Guardian Award by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW). The presentation took place Wednesday at the state Capitol. The award is given each year to an elected official who has made significant governmental contributions to guarding, protecting and preserving the rights of women and families.

“When our laws and institutions protect the rights, safety and health of women and children, it isn’t just something they benefit from—these efforts strengthen Oklahoma families, our communities and, ultimately, our entire state,” said Floyd, D-Oklahoma City. “I’m grateful for the support these initiatives have received from my fellow members of the Legislature, the governor, law enforcement, community leaders, advocates and so many others, and I thank the Commission for not only this recognition, but for their efforts on behalf of women and families as well.”

A former assistant attorney general and Administrative law judge, Floyd served one term in the House of Representatives prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2014. Throughout her service in both chambers, Floyd has championed numerous efforts on behalf of women, children and families, authoring legislation to provide suicide prevention assistance in Oklahoma schools and reduce domestic violence.

During the 2017 session, she filed legislation resulting in Gov. Mary Fallin’s creation of the Oklahoma Task Force on Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence to determine the number of untested rape kits throughout the state and develop recommendations for reducing the backlog and better assisting victims.

“The Commission is delighted to recognize Senator Floyd’s important contributions to Oklahoma women with the 2017 Guardian Award,” said OCSW Chair Maria Trapp-Braly. “We appreciate Sen. Floyd and all our legislators who do their part of supporting and empowering women in Oklahoma.”