April 14-15 in Sulphur; Dynamic Women Conference set for Artesian

This article appeared in the February 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SULPHUR, Okla. - The Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference is set for April 14-15 at the beautiful Artesian Hotel and Spa in Sulphur. Mary Ruth Barnes, 2015 Dynamic Woman of the Year is this year’s keynote speaker.

Mrs. Barnes, of Ada, Okla., is an editor, published author, photographer, award-winning artist and equestrian. She is American Cancer Society Director of Planned Giving for Oklahoma. Since 2012, she has raised more than $10 million in estate gifts for cancer research. She was named American Cancer Society “Top Performer of the Nation” in 2012 and 2014.

Mrs. Barnes is active in her community. She is a member of the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce and Ada Rotary. She is a past president of Ada’s Business and Professional Women, and was named that organization’s “Women of the Year” in 2006.  She has served on her church board, Rotary board, Ada Arts Council executive board, and the Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America. She is also a Sunday School teacher.

Mrs. Barnes and her husband, Mike, have been married 40 years. The couple has two sons, Wiley and Selby, both of whom work for the Chickasaw Nation.

The Barnes welcome visitors to their horse ranch for lessons on natural horsemanship.

Established in 2006, the Dynamic Woman of the Year Award honors Chickasaw women who have made significant contributions to the Chickasaw Nation, serve as role models to other Chickasaw women and have made a difference in the lives of Chickasaws and other citizens, enriching their communities and society at large.

The artwork for this year’s conference was created by Samantha Perry, 17, of Ada. Samantha is a senior at Byng High School, an avid swimmer, nine-year member of the Greater Ada Swim Club and two-time state qualifier with the Byng Varsity Swim Team. She is also active in cross-country, track, video productions and art club. She is an award-winning artist who enjoys learning about Chickasaw culture through art.

Samantha is president of the Byng High School senior class and National Honor Society chapter. She is a member of the Vision Bank Student Bank Board and a certified lifeguard. In addition to her high school studies, Samantha is enrolled concurrently at East Central University. Upon high school graduation, she plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to study pre-medicine. She has been accepted into the Honors College.

In conjunction with the conference and forum, artwork showcasing the art of Chickasaw women will be exhibited. The conference is open to the public.

For more information, contact Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities at (580) 272-5520.