Four Famous Women From Oklahoma

March is Women’s History Month, but here at Landers Chevrolet of Norman, we celebrate the contributions of women every day: in our lives, in positions of influence, in the workplace, and in the history of Oklahoma and our nation. Oklahoma has been the home and launch pad for some truly incredible women throughout the years, and we’d love to take a moment to share a few of their stories with you. Seen below, check out details on four great Americans born right here in the Sooner State who happen to be women. And if you’re in the market for a dealership that treats every customer with the respect they deserve, stop in and see us today at Landers Chevrolet of Norman!

Alfre Woodard
Actor
Born in Tulsa in 1952, Alfre Woodard rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected actors working today, scoring important roles in both Hollywood films — including “Scrooged,” “Crooklyn,” “Grand Canyon,” “Beauty Shop,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Captain America: Civil War” and dozens of others — and on television shows like “St. Elsewhere,” “L.A. Law,” “Gray’s Anatomy,” “Empire” and more. Along the way, she has scooped out a truckload of awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination, two Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe win and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2020, the New York Times put Woodard at Number 17 on their lists of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century.

Maria Tallchief
Prima Ballerina and Teacher
Elizabeth Maria “Betty” Tallchief, a member of the Osage Nation, was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma in 1925. Fascinated with dance from an early age, Tallchief started training as a ballerina at age three before moving to Los Angeles with her family at 8. Soon after moving to New York City at age 17, Tallchief started landing prime rolls in ballet productions. When the group that would become the legendary New York City Ballet was formed in 1946, Tallchief became their first star. Considered America’s first Prima Ballerina — the most skilled designation in ballet — Tallchief spent her life touring the globe as a performer, and later as a teacher and ambassador for the pursuit she loved. She was eventually inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, honored by the Osage with the name “Princess Wa-Xthe-Thomba” (“Woman of Two Worlds”) and received a Kennedy Center Honor for Lifetime Achievement in 1996. She passed away in April 2013

Elizabeth Warren
U.S. Senator
Born Elizabeth Ann Herrin in June 1949 in Oklahoma City, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren — whatever you feel about her political leanings — is yet another Oklahoman who rose from challenging circumstances to the heights of her calling. After her father had a heart attack when Warren was 12, her family faced poverty that led her to seek a job waiting tables when she was just 13 to help her family stay afloat. After excelling in debate in High School, Warren won a debate scholarship to George Washington University, but dropped out after two years to get married. Eventually, Warren would return to school for her bachelors degree, then worked as a teacher before attending Rutgers Law School. She eventually joined the faculty of the U. of Pennsylvania Law School, and gained prominence for her progressive thought on income and banking. In 2012, Warren was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts. She is now serving her second term in the U.S. Senate.

S.E. Hinton
Author
The next time you go to the bookstore, look at the large “Young Adult Fiction” section, filled with hundreds of authors writing specifically for young people. Among all those books, you’ll likely find the one credited with starting the Young Adult Fiction genre in the first place: S.E. Hinton’s 1967 book “The Outsiders.” Born in Tulsa in 1948, Susan Eloise Hinton began writing her first novel — the tale of two rival gangs at an Oklahoma high school — in 1965 when she was only 13. Published when Hinton was 16, the novel became a phenomenon. To date, it has sold over 14 million copies. In 1983, the novel was adapted by celebrated director Francis Ford Coppola, who cast a trove of up-and-coming young actors in the film, including Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevex and Tom Cruise. Hinton would go on to write five more Young Adult novels as well as children’s books and two works of adult-targeted fiction. She still lives in Tulsa.