Oklahoma Leaders in Public Service

A Story of the Portraits Gallery Exhibit | On Display April 2025 to April 2026.

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“Some days the work is harder than others, but each day we are granted a new opportunity to change the course for the future.”

                              -       Sue Ann Arnall, 2022

From Colony to Tahlequah, and everywhere in between, when Oklahomans believe there are no limits to what is possible, they step up to serve—lifting voices, building bridges, and shaping a better tomorrow for all. This exhibit celebrates individuals whose commitment to public service reflects a deep calling marked by courage, compassion, hard work and a deep sense of justice. These leaders—from activists and educators to jurists and philanthropists—have devoted their lives to improving the quality of life for all Oklahomans. Unwavering commitment to bettering their communities, often in the face of adversity, continues to inspire, shaping our great state and beyond. Their work continues and their legacies transform our world and set a lasting example for future generations.

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This exhibit is a collaborative project by the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and students from the Museum Theory & Practice course at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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