Gov. Mary Fallin's Historic Inauguration Inspires Next Generation

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Dozens of people attended Monday's inauguration, and among them was a 5th grader from Maysville named Matti Allen, who had a brand new camera and her first assignment was to document history.

Allen turned 11 years old on Monday and it was the birthday of a lifetime.

"[It was] a history making event that I got to go to," Allen said.

Allen captured every history making moment with her new camera she bought two days ago with Christmas and birthday money.

Allen said her dream is to someday be a professional photographer. And on Monday she, and all the other girls in the audience, witnessed first-hand that anything is possible.

"I think it removes what has historically been a glass ceiling in Oklahoma in politics and government and I'm excited about it," said Rae Rice, a father who attended the inauguration.

A message Fallin herself shared with Allen when they met following the ceremony.

"She said, 'Did you know I was the first lady governor,' and I said, 'Yes,'" Allen recalled of the meeting. "She said, 'You know you could be the first lady to do something else.'"

Allen said she was indeed inspired to take her dreams as far as they will carry her.

"I could do something that no woman ever did before," Allen said.

Twenty-four states have had or currently have female governors.