Background
Staggs, Barbara Annette was born on July 18, 1940 in Hulbert, Oklahoma, United States. Daughter of Truman and Veleria (Trapp) Masterson.
Staggs, Barbara Annette was born on July 18, 1940 in Hulbert, Oklahoma, United States. Daughter of Truman and Veleria (Trapp) Masterson.
Bachelor in Education, Northeastern University, 1963. Master of Arts, University Tulsa, 1968. Doctor of Education, University Tulsa, 1987.
She was an only child and three weeks after her birth, was moved to and raised in Muskogee. She lived her entire life in Muskogee, other than a brief time she spent in Tahlequah, Oklahoma while she was serving as superintendent of the school district. In 1959, Barbara married Ross Staggs on the 29th of August.
She received her undergraduate degree in Education from Northeastern State University in 1963.
She received her master"s degree in English and her doctorate in Education from the University of Tulsa in 1968 and 1987 respectively. After her education, Staggs taught in Muskogee for 15 years.
During her time as a classroom educator, Staggs taught English, drama, speech, and broadcasting. After her time in the classroom, Staggs served as the assistant principal for six years and served as the principal for three years.
She was the first female to hold the position of secondary principal in Muskogee.
In 1990, Staggs started as the superintendent for Tahlequah public schools. Again, she was the first woman to hold this position and served until 1993 when she decided to run for office. Her first term beginning in 1994, Staggs was the first female elected to the legislature in district 14.
Staggs helped with the creation of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, Oklahoma as well as aided in the bill that made throwing objects off of an overpass a felony.
She was strongly involved with education legislation and served on the Common Education Committee, and in other capacities. Staggs served for 12 years until her retirement in 2006.
After her retirement in 2007, Staggs was elected to the Chairmanship of Muskogee County Democrats and worked as a Northeastern State University representative. While in retirement, Staggs served her hometown in many facets, including volunteer work with the following organizations:
Leadership Oklahoma
Muskogee Morning Optimists
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Five Civilized Tribes Museum
Three Rivers Museum
Muskogee Development Corporation
NSU Alumni board
Board of Directors of Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Portuguese of Muskogee board
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahoma Foundation for the Education of the Blind
Noon Lions Club
Service League of Muskogee
Lakewood Girl Scouts
Soroptimist
CASA
Women's Leadership Conference
2010 for Freshman Girls.
During her time in the legislature, Staggs assisted as a member of the Common Education Committee and was integral in passing many bills, such as one that lead to the creation of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee.
Married Ross Staggs; children: Rick, Matt.