Yvonne Kauger , is an Associate Justice on the , and was appointed to the Court's District 4 seat by Governor George Nigh in 1984, and served as Chief Justice from 1997 to 1998.
Background
She was born in Cordell, Oklahoma, and grew up in Colony, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Kauger grew up in Colony, Oklahoma, helping her parents John and Alice Kauger with various chores on the family farm.
Education
Kauger attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she majored in biology and minored in both chemistry and English. She graduated in three years and worked as a med tech at a Medical Arts Lab for five years after graduating from an internship program at Saint Anthony Hospital. Kauger used this profession to fund her lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer.
Kauger received her law degree at Oklahoma City University in 1969, where she was first in her law school class.
Upon graduation, Kauger had many job offers and worked in a private practice for Senator Cleeta John Rogers for two and a half years. After this, Kauger worked for Justice Hodges as a clerk for eleven and a half years before she was appointed to the Supreme Court.
Career
Kauger also serves as Symposium Coordinator of the Sovereignty Symposium. Kauger was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2001. During her childhood, Kauger primarily helped by picking cotton.
Upon getting her driver's license, Kauger was hired for the summer by a small law firm. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Colony High School. Her time with the small firm inspired her to pursue her law degree.
Education Appointed by Governor Nigh in 1984, Justice Kauger has served on the ever since. Kauger served as the Chief justice from January 2007 to December 2008. Governor's Arts.
Achievements
Membership
Founder Gallery of Plains Indian, Colony, Oklahoma, Red Earth (Down Towner award 1990), 1987. Active Judicial Day, Girl's State, 1976-1980. Keynotespeaker Girl's State Hall of Fame Banquet, 1984.
Board directors Lyric Theatre, Inc., since 1966, president of the board directors, 1981. Past member board directors Civic Music Society, Oklahoma Theatre Center, Canterbury Choral Society. Member First Lady of Oklahoma's Artisans' Alliance Committee.
Member American Bar Association (law school accreditation committee), Oklahoma Bar Association (law schools committee since 1977), Washita County Bar Association, Washita County History Society (life), St. Paul's Music Society, Iota Tau Tau, Delta Zeta (Distinguished Alumnaaward 1988, State Delta Zeta of Year 1987, National Woman of Year 1988).
Connections
Married Ned Bastow, May 8, 1982. 1 child, Jonna Kauger Kirschner.