The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

OKLAHOMA WOMAN.

In May 1926 Grady L. Webster, editor, and Winonah "Winnie" M. Sanger, associate editor, launched The Oklahoma Woman monthly magazine. By the third issue Blanche C. Naylor was editor and Sanger and Maude Richman Calvert, respectively, served as consulting editors for the health and home economics departments.

An earlier publishing attempt by Sallie Sturgeon in 1908 had resulted in a short-lived, weekly magazine, The Oklahoma Lady, which offered society and club news as well as commentary against women's suffrage. However, with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, women gained suffrage and became more involved in politics. Thus, the first issue of The Oklahoma Woman offered a column on "Women in Oklahoma Politics" written by Ara J. Hudlow, who was running for Oklahoma secretary of state. During the early 1920s Harlow's Weekly also had a similar weekly column. The August 1926 issue of The Oklahoma Woman carried a full-page political campaign advertisement announcing Lamar Looney's bid for the U.S. Senate.

As the publication evolved, staff writers contributed information on Oklahoma artists and authors, state women's clubs, music, and fashion. Beginning in November 1926 Oklahoma artist Nan Sheets edited the Art Department. Short stories and poetry by Oklahoma authors, including Jennie Harris Oliver, frequented the pages. Oklahoma's first Miss America, Norma Smallwood, and American Indian performer Te Ata appeared on the covers. Several articles featured the Oklahoma College for Women (now University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) and the newly organized Order of the Rainbow Girls, sponsored by the Freemasons fraternal organization in McAlester, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Woman occasionally highlighted Oklahoma businesses such as Oklahoma City's Sigmon Furniture Manufacturing Company, which had a branch in Amarillo, Texas, and the Yukon (Oklahoma) Mill and Grain Company.

The publication cost twenty cents per copy or two dollars per year and continued to be published until at least June 1928, the last known extant copy.

Linda D. Wilson