Bio and Recognitions
Recently named one of Journal Record's 50 Women Making a Difference for the second year in a row, Melissa is most proud of her work exposing and fighting corruption within the State Department of Education, increasing access to diagnostic mammograms, streamlining teacher professional development requirements, updating child pornography laws to better encompass digital and online images, student loan transparency, getting rid of the state portion of the grocery tax and separating occupational licensure renewals from tax status.
Background and Awards
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Former Public School Teacher and Administrator
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Bachelor of Science - Organismic Biology
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Master's Degree - Educational Leadership and Policy
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2023 and 2024 Journal Record 50 Oklahoma Women Making a Difference
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2024 Human Rights Campaign Legislative Advocate of the Year
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Oklahoma Education Association 2022 Legislator of the Year
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Oklahoma Democratic Veterans 2022 Representative of the Year
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2023 Purple Heart State Representative of the Year - Oklahoma Military Order of the Purple Heart
Current appointments
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Assistant Minority Leader, Oklahoma House of Representatives
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State Director, Women In Government (National)
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Co-chair, Mental Health Caucus
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Emerging Legislative Leaders - Darden School of Business
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Toll Fellow - Henry Toll Fellowship
Committees
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Common Education
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Full Appropriations and Budget
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LOFT - Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency Oversight
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Judiciary - Civil
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County and Municipal Government
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Government Modernization and Technology
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Service Oklahoma Tag Agency Task Force
A little more...
A lifelong Tulsa area native, married mom to two and stepmom to two, Rep. Provenzano was elected in 2018 to represent District 79 in Tulsa, where she had worked as a public school teacher and principal who grew exasperated with cutting her budget every single year until she decided to run. As a legislator, Melissa continues to bring this same commitment and voice, focusing on common sense education policy and for the practical needs of her neighbors in Tulsa at the state capitol. She currently serves as the Assistant Minority Leader for the Democratic Caucus, State Director for Women In Government (National), and co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus.
