The Woodward News

Local News

September 8, 2010

Business women's group hears from candidate's representatives

Dave Matthews Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — The Woodward Business Women (WWBW) held a meeting Tuesday evening with guest speakers Rita Aragon and Michelle Johnson.

Aragon was speaking on behalf of Mary Fallin, while Johnson spoke on behalf of Jari Askins.

According to Kim Long president of the WWBW, it was great to have speakers representing the 2 female gubernatorial candidates.

“It's awesome knowing 2 women are running for governor of Oklahoma; it just shows how far women have come,” Long said.

“Women can do jobs men can, if they are trained and given the opportunity,” Aragon said.

She ought to know as she herself is a retired major general in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Aragon enlisted in 1979, and a decade later became first female commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. She later became the first woman to hold rank of brigadier in the Oklahoma National Guard.

According to her website, she was the 2008 Journal Record Woman of the Year and was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009. During her military career, she overcame many gender barriers which led her to winning many awards.

Aragon spoke to how Fallin is another highly capable Oklahoma woman, whose dependability and drive help to make her a great candidate for governor.

In fact, she even described Fallin as “Wonder Woman.”

“Mary Fallin is someone with heart and integrity, and she can bring the best to Oklahoma,” Aragon said.

She said Fallin wants to improve many aspects of Oklahoma ranging from economy and jobs, health care, education to illegal immigration.

Johnson spoke to how Askins is an inspiring woman in her own right.

On a personal level, Johnson said Askins was a role model as 1 of 3 female attorneys in Duncan, which where she grew up.  Seeing Askins break some gender barriers in the legal world, she said, gave her the inspiration to follow her own young dreams of becoming an attorney.

In addition, Johnson described Askins as being "Oklahoma through and through."

“Askins loves Oklahoma. She never left Oklahoma and she has no plans to leave Oklahoma,” she said. “This is why Askins is a good candidate for governor.”

Johnson also said Askins "knows the important issues and wants to make a difference."

According to Johnson, Askins works with children educational issues and she wants to make sure children are educated  "from the bottom of education all the way to the top."

The Woodward Business Women's group invited Aragon and Johnson to speak as an opportunity to learn a little bit more about their respective candidates prior to the fast-approaching gubernatorial election on Nov. 2.

The WWBW, which is a part of the Oklahoma Business Women (OBW) organization, meets the second Friday of every month at K-Bobs at noon.  Their next meeting is set for  this Friday.

“I encourage women to come take part of this,” Long said.  

For information on OBW, visit their official website at www.oklahomabusinesswomen.org.

According to the website, “OBW was founded in 1919, and since then OBW has been building women's careers and skills by holding workshops, seminars, and legislative events; providing scholarships; building public issues awareness through media; and much more. Members also make a difference though local organizations, each with their own projects, scholarships and programs.”

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