Oklahoma Women's Coalition Promotes Women’s Issues at State Capitol

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A group of Oklahoma women met with lawmakers Tuesday for Advocacy Day at the state capitol, hosted by the Oklahoma Women's Coalition.

The coalition is working to improve the lives of females, young and old.

Oklahoma ranks the third worst state in the nation when it comes to women including domestic violence and high incarceration rates. The purpose of the day is to set the ground work for future legislation to support funding for domestic violence shelters and gain support for pilot programs to reduce the number of incarcerated females.

The members of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition went from Senator to Senator and Representative to Representative to discuss improving the lives of women and girls across the state.

Walking the halls of the state capitol is something Rebecca Huegel hadn't had the freedom to do for years.

"I was released from Mabel Bassett Prison on February 19. I did three and half years for a nonviolent crime," said Huegel.

That time away from her family made Huegel want to get involved in the legislative process.

"Oklahoma is number one for the incarceration rate of women and I believe they need a voice and their children need a voice and maybe some programs that would be an alternative to them going to prison in the first place," Huegel said.

One of the group's main priorities is reducing the number of female offenders.

"Incarceration of women sort of captures the other issues that are a problem in Oklahoma. Domestic violence is very high, child abuse is high, men killing their partners we're very high in," said Jean Warner with the Oklahoma Women's Coalition.

Domestic violence shelters and programs are losing over a million dollars in funding which is other reason these women visited the capitol.

"The more people who learn about the issues and are willing to say we need to make a difference," said Jan Peery, YWCA CEO. "And willing to say to legislatures we need to make this a priority then we can turn that bus around."

The women also had a chance to meet and share their concerns with Oklahoma's four candidates running for governor this year.

A bill that creates a pilot program aimed at putting non-violent moms in community based programs instead of prison unanimously passed the House Tuesday.