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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Gov. Brad Henry has named Aneta F. Wilkinson, Tulsa, to a nine-year term on the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services, which ends in August 2013. Wilkinson fills a position held by Steve Bailey of Newcastle, whose term ended in August. The Human Services Commission oversees the state’s largest agency, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
“This is a great honor to be asked to serve on the Human Services Commission,” Wilkinson said. “I have come to understand the importance of the roles and responsibilities of the commission and I am eager to learn and contribute to the successes being made on human services initiatives in this state.
“For some time now, I have been a strong advocate for quality care for Oklahoma’s children, the aged population and those with developmental disabilities, as well as for the need of quality daycare centers and early childhood education.”
The retired educator has had a distinguished career in Oklahoma education as a teacher and administrator. She has spent the past 16 years devoting her time to children’s issues in the public school arena. Now, she is dedicating her time and energies to serving all children.
Wilkinson has been a volunteer with the Parent Child Center of Tulsa. She is a member of the Children’s Services Advisory Board, an agency that focuses on OKDHS child welfare services. She is currently serving as chairperson of the Board’s Shelter Committee. This committee plans, coordinates, and executes all Board activities in support of the Laura Dester Children’s Shelter in Tulsa.
Wilkinson is past chairperson of the Children’s Advocacy Team at her church. The team adopted a Tulsa elementary school and was responsible for renovating, furnishing and providing a part-time teacher for the classroom located at the Laura Dester Children’s Shelter.
She believes that stronger emphasis is necessary to coordinate OKDHS programs and services with those of other institutions, both public and private. “My experiences as a mother of three, grandmother of six, the sole caregiver of aging parents, educator, administrator, and life-long team player will give me the ability to problem solve and balance needs with the practicalities of the OKDHS resources,” she said. “Because a team effort is more essential now than ever before, I will work to make this a high priority through my service on the commission.”
Wilkinson, and her husband, Bill, have been married for 40 years and have three grown daughters, Amy Hall of Perry, Sarah McAmis of Edmond and Betsy Wilkinson of Tulsa, and six grandchildren. She and Bill are graduates of the University of Oklahoma where she received her Master’s Degree in Education in 1966.
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