Sarah Hazen Stitt is an American businesswoman who has served as the First Lady of Oklahoma since 2019.
Sarah Hazen Stitt | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Oklahoma | |
Current | |
| Assumed role January 14, 2019 | |
| Governor | Kevin Stitt |
| Preceded by | Wade Christensen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sarah Hazen January 27, 1978 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kevin Stitt (m. 1998) |
Early life and career
editSarah Hazen grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was homeschooled until she was a teenager when she first attended public schools. Growing up, her mother suffered from mental health problems, but refused treatment due to social stigmas. Her mother attempted suicide and her siblings had drug addictions. Her father also developed mental health problems during this time. Sarah cites her childhood experience as motivation for her mental health advocacy.[1] She founded Gateway Mortgage, alongside her husband, Kevin Stitt, and worked there for twenty years.[2]
First Lady of Oklahoma
editSarah Stitt became the First Lady of Oklahoma when her husband Kevin Stitt was sworn in Governor of Oklahoma on January 14, 2019.[3] She was credited with improving her husband's approval with women voters during his 2018 election campaign.[4] During her tenure, she has focused on mental health.[5] In 2020, she led a fundraising campaign for a non-profit that focuses on preventing child abuse.[6] Later that year she assisted with the restoration of the Book of Redemption for Vernon A.M.E. Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[7][8]
Sarah Stitt Act
editIn 2021, Oklahoma HB 1679 was named the "Sarah Stitt Act" after the first lady. The bill provided state identification documents to prison inmates that do not have one.[9] The bill was sponsored by Representatives Brian Hill and Marilyn Stark.[10] In the first year after its passage, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections found more than 1,300 birth certificates for inmates.[11]
Personal life
editSarah met Kevin Stitt in the summer of 1997 at a church service.[12] The couple married on June 1, 1998.[13] They have six children.[2] She is a member of the Republican Party.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Sarah Stitt: Oklahoma's First Lady - MetroFamily Magazine". Metro Family Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ a b "First Lady Sarah Stitt". oklahoma.gov. Governor of Oklahoma. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Felder, Ben (January 14, 2019). "Stitt takes office, promises new state pride". The Daily Oklahoman. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ^ Felder, Ben (November 11, 2018). "Rural vote helped Stitt win governor's race". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Bryen, Whitney (12 October 2019). "Sarah Stitt: Growing up in a home with mental illness". NonDoc. Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Forman, Carmen (September 3, 2020). "First Lady Sarah Stitt raising money to prevent child abuse". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Hinton, Carla (June 2, 2021). "First lady partners with Museum of the Bible to restore historic book for Tulsa church". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Museum of the Bible will receive award for restoration of historic Tulsa church's donor ledger". The Oklahoman. August 21, 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Douglass, Kaylee (13 April 2021). "'Sarah Stitt Act' to issue IDs to Oklahoma inmates impending release unanimously passes Senate". KFOR-TV. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Krisai, Lauren (February 7, 2023). "Guest: Oklahoma shows a commitment to criminal justice reforms" (Opinion). The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Felder, Ben (July 12, 2022). "More Oklahomans are being released from prison. Now what?". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Casteel, Chris (September 30, 2018). ""Serious kid" sets sights on serving as chief executive of Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Stitt, Kevin [@GovStitt] (June 1, 2019). "For our 21st anniversary, the First Lady and I went fly fishing this morning in the beautiful Beaver Bend state park. #OklaProud @TravelOK" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Forman, Carmen (September 13, 2022). "She became a Democrat to run for Oklahoma governor. Her husband remains a registered Republican". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 October 2023.