Mina Hibdon

Background

Hibdon was born in southeastern Oklahoma in McAlester on a farm to Joseph Gilreath and Cora Belle Bryant.

Education

Mina graduated from McAlester High School.

Career

Elected at the age of 47 in a special election in 1973, Hibdon served until 1976. Mina was the youngest and last of eight children. During her senior year, Hibdon wrote biographies on each senior for the McAlester News Capital.

During World World War II, Hibdon served as an overseas operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

Hibdon married her high school sweetheart, James Hibdon, in 1944. The couple moved to Norman, Oklahoma where James attended the University of Oklahoma.

During this time, Hibdon became very active in her community with humanitarian efforts. Hibdon was appointed to and served on the Norman Planning Commission.

Hibdon also volunteered with Hospice of Norman and with foster children programs.

Hibdon was prompted to run for office upon the discovery of her local senator"s death. The local republican banker in Norman suggested Hibdon"s name as a possible candidate for his vacant Senate seat and organized a committee for her campaign. A member from the in that district decided to move over to the Senate seat, leaving the vacant seat in the House for which Hibdon campaigned.

Mina worked to pass and reform the Equal Rights Amendment, a position that was not too popular in the conservative party.

During her time in office, Hibdon proposed a bill to eliminate reference to gender in legislation. Before this bill, the male pronoun was widely and universally used.

Committees

Appropriations and Budget

Mental Health and Retardation

Higher Education

Municipal Government

Hibdon was also a licensed pilot and had a rating of 1st Lieutenant in the Oklahoma Civil Air Patrol.

Achievements

• Not only was she the first female to be elected in District 44, she was also the first republican to win the seat. Hibdon was the first republican as well as the first female to win a seat in District 44.

Membership

She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church, where she taught and served on many committees. She was one of the charter members of Bethel Baptist Church.

Connections

friends:

Norman Assistance