KATE BARNARD
She was a short woman, less than five feet tall.
But she changed many things that were wrong in
Oklahoma. For that, she was called “Our Good
Angel, Kate.” Her full name was Kate Barnard.
Like others, she came to Oklahoma just after
statehood. Once she arrived in Oklahoma City,
she saw how some very poor people had to live.
There were children with no clothing and little food.
There were factories where people worked long
hours for little money. And the factories were full
of unsafe machines.
Kate would not be quiet. She let everyone know
about how poor people lived and worked. Soon, she
ran for a government office. She hoped to help
people by making new laws. But this was a time
when women could note vote. That didn’t stop Kate!
She ran for office and won. Even though she could not even vote for herself!
Once in government, she worked to take care of orphans and the homeless.
(An orphan is a child who has no mother or father.) She got laws made that gave
all children a free education, too. Kate Barnard is one of the many Oklahomans
who worked their whole lives for other people.
1. Why did Kate get her nickname?
2. Why did she run for government office?
3. What things did Kate do to help others?
Courtesy Oklahoma Council for Social Studies