Catherine Dunn Keating | |
|---|---|
| 23rd First Lady of Oklahoma | |
| In role January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 | |
| Governor | Frank Keating |
| Preceded by | Rhonda Smith Walters |
| Succeeded by | Kim Henry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Catherine Dunn Heller (1950-09-18)September 18, 1950 (age 74) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Frank Keating |
| Children | 3, includingChip Keating |
| Education | University of Oklahoma |
Catherine Dunn Heller Keating (born September 18, 1950) is an American author, philanthropist, and politician who served as theFirst Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003.
Born inTulsa, Oklahoma, Keating marriedFrank Keating and became the First Lady of Oklahoma when he was electedGovernor of Oklahoma. During her tenure she organized official ceremonies after theOklahoma City bombing and ran for theUnited States House of Representatives in a2002 special election. She was inducted into theOklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and theOklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.
Catherine Dunn Heller was born inTulsa, Oklahoma to Harvey Augustus Heller Jr. and Frances Herndon. She attended theUniversity of Oklahoma and majored inelementary education. She was a member ofKappa Alpha Theta.[1] She was crowned "Miss Wool" of Oklahoma,Missouri, andArkansas by Lieutenant GovernorGeorge Nigh.[2] In 1972 she marriedFrancis Anthony Keating II.[3]
Keating served as theFirst Lady of Oklahoma from 1995 to 2003. She planned and organized the International Prayer Service after theOklahoma City bombing. During her tenure she founded the Friends of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, Septemberfest, and created the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. She served on the boards of charities such as theHabitat for Humanity International Women's Build and theNational Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. She was inducted into theOklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011 and has authored three books:Our Governors Mansions,Ooh La La: Cuisine Presented in a Stately Manner, andIn Their Name.[2] She was inducted into theOklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.[4]
In April 2001 Keating announces her campaign forOklahoma's 1st congressional district to succeedSteve Largent.[5] She advanced to a run-off alongsideJohn Sullivan, but withdrew from the race citing a desire to not campaign negatively.[6] Her husbandFrank Keating controversially called Tulsans "very dumb" for not supporting his wife's campaign.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Sullivan | 19,018 | 45.5% | |
| Republican | Cathy Keating | 12,737 | 30.5% | |
| Republican | Scott Pruitt | 9,513 | 22.8% | |
| Republican | George E. Banasky | 296 | 0.7% | |
| Republican | Evelyn L. Rogers | 210 | 0.5% | |
| Total votes | 41,774 | 100.00 | ||