Famous Citizens:

Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench, born in Oklahoma City in 1947, is considered to be one of baseball’s greatest catchers. He played for the Cincinnati Reds between 1967 and 1983, pioneered the technique of one-handed catching, and hit 389 career home runs during his career. Bench received the Most Valuable Player Award in 1970 and 1972. In 1989 he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

 

Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He was a prolific American folk music composer and performer who wrote more than 1,000 songs. His legacy of music, ballads, prose, and poetry reflects the most significant events of the 20th century including the Great Depression, the Great Dust Storm, World War II, and the Cold War.

 

 

Jeane Kirkpatrick
Jeane Kirkpatrick, political scientist and government official, was born in Duncan, Oklahoma in 1926. She was a college professor and Democratic Party activist, but changed parties due to her opposition to President Carter’s foreign policies. In 1981, she became the American ambassador to the United Nations. She returned to university teaching in 1985.

 

 

Shannon Lucid
Shannon Lucid was born in Bethany, Oklahoma, in 1943. She is an astronaut and biochemist who set a record for the longest U.S. space mission. She spent 188 days in orbit aboard the Mir space station. Lucid was the first female to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

 

 

Will Rogers
Will Rogers (1879-1935) was born in Oologah, Indian Territory, now part of Oklahoma. He was a cowboy, actor, writer, and humorist, appearing in vaudeville, Broadway musicals, numerous movies, and the Ziegfield Follies. Best known for his unique wit and homespun philosophy, Rogers also worked as a syndicated newspaper columnist, and was a presidential candidate in 1928.