Inducted in 2018
Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts with teaching certificates in French and education, at University of Oklahoma, where she also became a member of Chi Omega sorority. She started teaching French in Oklahoma City, and eventually taught French in all 106 public elementary schools in Oklahoma City. She also taught French on educational television, wrote teachers’ guides to accompany each of four French programs, and conducted teacher workshops.
American Mothers, Inc. selected her from 50 state finalists as National Mother of the Year. She spent the next year traveling and speaking as “an inspiration to the nation who would represent a mother’s unconditional love, inner strength, and courage.”
For 10 years she served as Honorary Consul of France. As a long-serving Consul, she was awarded the distinction of being named an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. It is France’s highest order for military and civil merit, established by Napoleon in 1802, and is viewed as one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
Her honors include the OU Regents’ Alumni Award for leadership in service, Distinguished Alumnus of the OU College of Arts and Sciences, OU College of Education Meritorious Service Award, and Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers’ Association Friend of Foreign Language Award for contributions to cultural exchanges between the US and France. Also, Junior League of Oklahoma City’s highest honor, the Mary Baker Rumsey Lifetime Commitment Award, and Chi Omega Alumnae Achievements Award for Oklahoma.
Barbara has served more than 15 years on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society. She’s been President of the OU Moms Association, President of the OU Bizzell Library Society, and served on the Board of Visitors, OU College of Arts and Sciences and Board of Advocates, OU College of Education.
