Catherine Heller Keating Explained

Catherine Dunn Keating
Birth Name:Catherine Dunn Heller
Governor:Frank Keating
Term Label:In role
Term Start:January 9, 1995
Term End:January 13, 2003
Predecessor:Rhonda Smith Walters
Birth Date:18 September 1950
Birth Place:Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse:Frank Keating
Education:University of Oklahoma

Catherine Dunn Heller Keating (born September 18, 1950) is an American author, philanthropist, and politician who served as the First Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Keating married Frank Keating and became the First Lady of Oklahoma when he was elected Governor of Oklahoma. During her tenure she organized official ceremonies after the Oklahoma City bombing and ran for the United States House of Representatives in a 2002 special election. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.

Early life and education

Catherine Dunn Heller was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Harvey Augustus Heller Jr. and Frances Herndon. She attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in elementary education. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta.[1] She was crowned "Miss Wool" of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas by Lieutenant Governor George Nigh.[2] In 1972 she married Francis Anthony Keating II.[3]

First Lady of Oklahoma and philanthropy

Keating served as the First Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003. She planned and organized the International Prayer Service after the Oklahoma City bombing. During her tenure she founded the Friends of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, Septemberfest, and created the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. She served on the boards of charities such as the Habitat for Humanity International Women's Build and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and has authored three books: Our Governors Mansions, Ooh La La: Cuisine Presented in a Stately Manner, and In Their Name. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.[4]

2001 Congressional campaign

In April 2001 Keating announces her campaign for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district to succeed Steve Largent.[5] She advanced to a run-off alongside John Sullivan, but withdrew from the race citing a desire to not campaign negatively.[6] Her husband Frank Keating controversially called Tulsans "very dumb" for not supporting his wife's campaign.[7]

Notes and References

  1. November 16, 2018 . Cathy Keating Biography - Oklahoma Hall of Fame . Video . en . October 14, 2023 . . Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
  2. Web site: Cathy Heller Keating, Class of 2011 . www.oklahomahof.com . . 14 October 2023 . en.
  3. Web site: Keating, Francis Anthony II . okhistory.org . . 14 October 2023.
  4. Web site: OCSW Names 2023 Women's Hall of Fame Inductees . oklahoma.gov . Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women . 14 October 2023 . April 11, 2023.
  5. Web site: Keating Campaign Announcement . c-span.org . . 14 October 2023 . Video.
  6. News: Lindley . Tom . Cathy Keating reflects on loss . 14 October 2023 . . December 23, 2001.
  7. News: Martindale . Rob . Cathy Keating resumes first role . 14 October 2023 . Tulsa World . 20 December 2001 . en.