Inaugural Impressions
Sarah Hazen Stitt (1978–)
Sarah Hazen was born on January 27, 1978. The oldest of four siblings, Sarah grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her father helped coordinate a drug rehabilitation and transitional housing program. She met John Kevin (Kevin) Stitt at a church service during the summer of 1997. The couple married on June 1, 1998, and went on to have six children. Sarah and Kevin founded Gateway Mortgage Group in 2000.
Kevin was elected governor of Oklahoma in 2018, running as a business-minded political outsider promising to make Oklahoma a “Top Ten” state. He was reelected in 2022. Although she admitted being somewhat surprised by her husband’s decision to run for governor, Sarah engaged fully in supporting the campaign. As First Lady, Sarah has advocated for mental health. She cofounded Hope Rising Oklahoma with Dr. Chan Hellman, who directs the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.
Sarah has also overseen a nearly $2 million renovation of the Governor’s Mansion. The property had not been renovated since the mid-1990s when Frank and Cathy Keating lived there. Notable work included a new roof, windows, and appliances. Sarah also donated new furnishings and artwork for the mansion. She chairs the board of the Friends of the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion.
Sarah Hazen Stitt and Governor Kevin Stitt
(image provided)
