Lineal Ancestors:
- Parents, Frank and Beverly Jones Johnson
- Paternal grandparents, Homer and Evelyn Ward Johnson
- Maternal grandparents, AD and Beatrice Jackson Jones
- Brother, Frank Johnson, Jr.
Tribal Involvement:
- Served two terms on the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature, 1996-2002 and 2016-present
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, double major, Business Merchandising and Arts, Northeastern State University (1989)
- Master’s Degree in Education, University of Oklahoma (1992)
Career:
- First cabinet secretary for Native American Affairs, Oklahoma Governor’s Office (2019)
- Oklahoma House of Representatives District 42, (2004-2016)
- Chickasaw Nation Legislature (1996-2002) and (2016-present)
- Peacemakers, Inc. (1988-1995)
- Purcell Art Studio, Owner (1989-1994)
Committees:
- Floor Leader, Oklahoma House of Representatives
- Deputy Whip and Vice Chair of the Republican Caucus
- Appropriation Chairman, A&B Public Safety
- Appropriation Chairman, A&B Higher Education
- Committee Chairman, Federal-Tribal Relations
- Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment
- Appropriations & Budget
- General Government
- Joint Senate Committee on Appropriations and Budget
- Long-term Care & Senior Services
- Transportation, Family and Human Resources
- Southern Oklahoma Redistricting Subcommittee
- Current trustee for the Udall Foundation
- Outstanding alumni NSU
Accomplishments:
- Formed the Native American Caucus in the Oklahoma legislature
- Received the Kate Barnard Award in 2012 for her work on prison reformation policies
- State Trooper Association Legislator of the Year, 2012
- OPEA Legislator of the Year, 2010
- Inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2009
- Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year in 2007
- Inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame
- Received the Institute of Child Advocacy Volunteer of the Year Award
- Honored with the “Oklahoma Spirit” Award
- Girl Scouts of the USA “Woman of Distinction” Award
Goals:
- My goal as your Pontotoc District legislator is to always be proactive on your behalf. I will be active in creating and shepherding quality legislation through the legislature. It all comes down to great service to the Chickasaws of Pontotoc District
Family and Activities/hobbies:
- My husband, Phillip (Air Force veteran) and I have been married for 30 years. We have three adult children who each serve in the U.S. military. We enjoy hunting, tribal dancing, stickball and serving and traveling with the ministry “Nations United.”