Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Floyd on elimination of women’s leadership program at OU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Democratic Leader Kay Floyd
Capitol: (405) 521-5610
Kay.Floyd@oksenate.gov 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after learning the University of Oklahoma’s Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center could no longer host a program aimed at encouraging women to seek careers in government and elected office. This is due to the governor’s Executive Order 2023-31, banning such programs. The program must conclude this month.

“OU’s chapter of NEW Leadership is a bipartisan effort, and for more than 20 years it has helped mentor and prepare hundreds of young women for public service, an area still vastly underrepresented by women. As one of only a handful of women to have held leadership positions in the Legislature since statehood, I believe this program’s elimination is a terrible loss.

“Some of the most transformational policy in our state has been authored by women legislators, including the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program, legislation providing greater access to breast cancer screening, legislation creating the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, and more. Women bring perspectives and ideas to the table that would otherwise not be heard, something we need more of, not less, in government.

“The elimination of the NEW Leadership program is an example of the negative impact Executive Order 2023-31 will have on our state, but I am deeply concerned there will be more.” – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.

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