Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference set for April 30 and May 1

This article appeared in the January 2020 edition of the Chickasaw Times

THACKERVILLE, Okla. - Registration is now open for the 2020 Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference.

The conference is scheduled for April 30 and May 1 at the WinStar Convention Center in Thackerville. Merry Monroe, 2019 Dynamic Women of the Year, is this year’s keynote speaker.

Mrs. Monroe has dedicated nearly 50 years of her life to serving Native American students, and more recently, learning and sharing the Chickasaw language.

She was hired by Byng (OK) Public Schools to work in the Indian Education program as a tutor and teacher’s aide. She became the Byng Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) program representative, and eventually the Indian Education Coordinator.

In 2011, Mrs. Monroe had the opportunity to oversee the Chickasaw language class at Byng High School. She wanted to deepen her knowledge and was accepted into the Chickasaw Nation’s Master Apprentice Language Program.

Mrs. Monroe’s dedication to Native American students was recognized in April 2018 when she was named Teacher of the Year by the National JOM Association.

She retired from Byng schools in May 2018. Her lifetime of service was honored by AARP Oklahoma at the 10th Annual Indian Elder Honors in October 2018.

She is involved at First Indian Baptist Church in Ada and is a member of the Native Praise Choir. In addition to teaching Chickasaw language classes, she attends art classes and takes piano lessons.

Mrs. Monroe and her husband, Leonard Monroe, have two children, James and Christy.

The Dynamic Women Conference 2020 theme is “Empowerment through Culture.” The conference is hosted by Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities.

This conference recognizes the strength and leadership of Chickasaw women from all walks of life and salutes their valuable contributions, talents and skills.

Deadline to register to attend is March 30, 2020.

Visit Chickasaw.net/DynamicWomen to register.

For more information, contact Kati Cain at (580) 272-5520 or Kati.Cain@Chickasaw.net.