From the Desk
of the Executive Director:
The 4th of July is a special day for families, friends, and loved ones, for veterans, for active and reserve duty soldiers, for those who aspire to be Americans, for young and for older alike.
We are fortunate in central Oklahoma to have celebrations provided. Festivities at Tinker AFB, fireworks downtown and at Bricktown, neighborhood cookouts and parades, and even Team Roping at the Lazy E are a few of those happenings we can enjoy.
Indeed, the 4th is a favorite holiday for many.
Today I think of my Dad, now deceased but a veteran of WWII, my brother a retired career Navy officer, my nephew who served in Afghanistan and Kuwait, my daughter’s former boyfriend now serving in Iraq, and the son of a dear friend who recently returned from his second war tour. I think of those who have lost their lives for our country in this war and in former wars.
I also think of our men and women serving today in 125+ degree heat in the Middle East. That is hard for me to imagine; and I love Oklahoma summers! I think of the thousands of soldiers who have served and returned with damaged bodies, psyches, or spirits. I know something about caring for a loved one with serious disability; it is not easy. I think also of the men and women living in the Norman Veterans Center, currently under investigation for possible maltreatment of residents, and I can’t imagine that either.
This year, I have chided readers to “do better” as policy leaders and as budget appropriators, as community leaders, as employers, and as protectors of our community’s children.
As I celebrate the 4th of July and look toward a community in Central Oklahoma which is evermore better, more healthy, more supportive and responsive to its citizens, fairer, more caring and productive and successful, I ask you to consider:
- We have done a good job of electing women to statewide office and to county offices. We are doing better electing women to the Oklahoma House and Senate. This is an election year. Will you look at all candidates at all levels to see if we can build on equal representation of qualified candidates? Will you discern for yourself those deserving your support and your vote and not be misled by typical political ploys and posturing?
- State and federal jobs set salary levels based on merit and on seniority. In the private sector, do you as an employer pay women the same as men for similar jobs, or do you pay $.70 on the $1.00 that is typical? Do you promote women to leadership and executive positions or do you perpetuate the subtle national bias that keeps women CEOs at less than 5%?
- Economic security depends on the business “bottom line”, which is linked directly to output from a quality workforce, which best performs when not ill or worried about health issues, does not feel isolated or excessively vulnerable during economic turndown, is able to be responsive to family and personal needs, and generally feels valued, included, and heard. How well do you do caring about your employees?
I could share more of my musings about our present and our future beyond the war, the economy, and the elections. They are not my favorite subjects and perhaps readers feel the same. However, they are the key issues of the day and of this 4th of July. Please consider your part and your responsibility as we experience this sacred holiday.