Carolyn Thompson Taylor

Carolyn T. Taylor
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 44 district
In office 1984–1992
Preceded by	Cleta Deatherage Mitchell
Succeeded by	Laura W. Boyd
Personal details
Born	Carolyn Anne Thompson Norman,OK
Political party	Democratic Party (United States)
Spouse(s)	Stratton Taylor
Residence	Claremore, OK
Profession	Educator

Dr. Carolyn Thompson Taylor is a politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Taylor served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992, representing the 44th district. Before running for office, Taylor was an AP government teacher at Norman High School from 1979 to 1984. While in the House, Taylor was a principal author of legislation concerning family care and education. After leaving office, Taylor obtained her doctorate in higher education in 1999 at Oklahoma State University and has taught political science at Rogers State University in Claremore, OK ever since.

Early Life and Education

Taylor was born in 1957 to parents Frank and JoAnne Miller in Norman, OK. She is the oldest of five children. Her parents were also born in Norman, OK and the majority of her family lived in the area. During her childhood, Taylor enjoyed spending time at the library, the Museum of Natural History (in its original building before Taylor was able to author legislation that funded a new building for the museum) and her grandparents' farm. From the first to fifth grade, Taylor attended a a private Catholic school until it closed due to lack of enrollment and financial problems. Taylor finished her education through the Norman public school system and graduated from Norman High School. After graduating from high school, Taylor attended the University of Oklahoma and obtained her bachelor’s in American History 1979 and went back later to get her teaching certificate.^[1]

Career

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Taylor was offered a teaching job at Norman High School. She took over one of her favorite teacher's job as the AP government teacher at the high school. Mrs. Viola Smith, Taylor's predecessor, had timed her retirement so that Taylor would be able to assume her position when she left. Taylor taught at the high school from 1979 to 1984. While teaching at Norman, Taylor became involved with helping and volunteering on campaigns of pro-education candidates. She also lobbied at the capitol on behalf of education.^[1]

In the summer of 1984, she was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to spend the summer studying politics & government in the Middle East. Consequently, at the same time, incumbent Cleta Deatherage Mitchell decided not to run for reelection. People encouraged Taylor to run for the seat and after discussing it over with the principal at Norman High School, she was given in the fall a leave of absence in order to campaign. Fellow teacher at the High School, Paula Roberts, served as Taylor’s campaign manager and did so for all four of Taylor's campaigns. Taylor's campaign was endorsed by the Oklahoma Education Association. Although she had to turn down the Fulbright Scholarship, she was rewarded by being elected in November.^[2]

House of Representatives (1984-1992)

Running on a platform of education, Taylor was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1984. While she was in the House, Taylor was the primary author of legislation concerning the establishment of a statewide prenatal care program. She also developed a family leave program for state employees and was able to raise funding for the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Taylor was the author of legislation that helped to create Sooner Start, a collaborative multi-agency early intervention program for children with disabilities.

Taylor's dedication to education was also depicted by her efforts in office. She was the principal author of legislation impacting education in the area of environmental and geography education programs, scholarship and endowed chair programs, increased funding for higher education, training and standards for Boards of Regents, college internship programs, and multiple education reforms that increased funding for pre-K through high school.^[2]

She continued her own education while in the House by attending night school at the University of Oklahoma to obtain her master’s degree in political science.

Committees

• Chair of the Education Committee
• Chair of the Education Subcommittee of the Appropriations and Budget Committee
• Economic Development and Mental Health Committees

After Legislation

Taylor left the legislation in 1992 in order to get married and start a family with Stratton Taylor. The two moved to Claremore, OK, where Stratton lived. Taylor completed her doctorate of higher education at Oklahoma State University in 1999 because the commute was much easier than it would have been had she returned to her alma mater in Norman. Ever since she obtained her doctorate, Taylor has been teaching political science at Rogers State University.

Achievements and Awards

• Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame (2007)
• Child Advocates Hall of Fame (2003)
• Oklahoma Observer’s award for Top Ten Legislators of the Year (1990, 1991, and 1992)
• Pinnacle Award from the Tulsa Commission on the Status of Women (1995)

References