| Donna Nigh | |
| Office1: | First Lady of Oklahoma |
| Term Label1: | In role |
| Term Start1: | January 3, 1979 |
| Term End1: | January 12, 1987 |
| Governor1: | George Nigh |
| Predecessor1: | Molly Shi Boren |
| Successor1: | Shirley Osborn Bellmon |
| Birth Date: | 9 March 1933 |
| Birth Place: | Morris, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Known For: | Former First Lady of Oklahoma Mental retardation activism |
| Spouse: | George Nigh |
| Children: | Berry Michael Mashburn, Georgeann Nigh |
| Occupation: | Civic leader, public service, and mental retardation activist |
Donna Nigh (born March 9, 1933) is an inductee of the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and wife of former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh. She served as the First Lady of Oklahoma for eight years as well as the first lady of the University of Central Oklahoma. She is well known for her service to Oklahomans with special needs and worked to improve the quality of living for citizens with disabilities.[1]
Donna Skinner Nigh was born in Morris, Oklahoma in 1933. She spent her entire childhood in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, attended Oklahoma City public schools, and graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1951. Nigh was involved with the high school marching band where she was a "twirler" and played the saxophone.[2] Like many women at the time, Nigh married early and had her first son, Berry Michael Mashburn. Her first marriage ended in divorce and Nigh enrolled at Central State Teachers College (now the University of Central Oklahoma). She dropped out to provide for her and her son. Nigh's first occupation was with Southwestern Bell Telephone. Next she worked for Trans World Airlines, working in the ticket office located in the Skirvin Hotel. It was at the Skirvin Hotel that Nigh met her future husband George Nigh while he was there for business. Six months later they were married in 1963. In 1965 Nigh gave birth to their daughter Georgeann.
While her husband was in office, Nigh was active in public service. In 1982 Nigh played a large role in passing legislation to fund group home projects, now identified as the Donna Nigh Group Home Program. Two years later in 1984, The Donna Nigh Foundation, a non-profit organization that awards grants to citizens with mental disabilities, was formed.[3] She also served as the first lady to her alma mater, the University of Central Oklahoma, from 1992-1997.[4]
Nigh and her husband appeared in walk-on roles in episode # 19 of the NBC soap opera Texas (playing themselves as Governor and First Lady of Oklahoma). The episode aired in August 1980. Cast member Lisby Larson (Paige Marshall) serenaded the couple with a rendition of "Oklahoma!"
On April 28, 2010, Nigh and her husband were robbed at gunpoint in the driveway of their northwest Oklahoma City home. They were uninjured, though her husband's wallet was taken. No suspect has been found.[5]
Nigh has served on the boards of many organizations, including: