Alma Bell Wilson with her presenter, Coach A member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 1996, Alma Bell Wilson, seated center, was Barry Switzer, just offstage following her inducted with, from left standing Dr. Charles A. Rockwood, Jr, Keith E. Bailey, and Robert Lorton, and induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. seated Dr. William R. “Bill” Bright and G. W. “Bill” Swisher. Courtesy Oklahoma Hall of Fame Archives. Courtesy Oklahoma Hall of Fame Archives. mostly female audience by stating that her time with the Oklahoma Supreme Court was a citizen of the world and she loved appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme she worked hard to strengthen the state’s Oklahoma football and Barry Switzer.” Court is “a signal to all of us—all of you— judiciary system, and even served on a Wilson indeed had a very special place that almost anything is possible.” This panel to help reform the Texas Supreme in her heart for Coach Switzer. She asked same year, Wilson was inducted into the Court. Colleagues have described her him to be her presenter for her induction Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. as curious, passionate about the law, into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1996. Gurich said of Wilson, “Everything an intellectual who continued to study In her acceptance speech, she thanked was possible. Everything was possible the law with moral courage to apply God for the many opportunities she had in her life. There was never anything that the law as she saw, and an inspiration in life, including the opportunity to be an wasn’t possible and that was a message for others. Her daughter, Lee Anne, said Oklahoman, a distinction which gave her she gave to all of us.” While speaking to that if you were to ask Wilson what was great pride. She said that she had always members of the OU Scholars program her greatest achievement, she would been fascinated with the pioneer spirit of in 1985, Wilson spoke about how say it was the Justice Alma Wilson Oklahomans and was deeply honored to challenging a career in law can be. She Seeworth Academy. Wilson wanted to be recognized as an Oklahoman. Wilson told the scholars how she worked every help people who were unable to help praised her family, friends, and colleagues night, every weekend, and every week themselves, and was a fervent advocate for their role in her success, claiming that of the year. Even on vacation, she would for reforming judicial juvenile justice. she could not have achieved all she had spend time reading transcripts from district She treasured the time she spent at the alone. Of her late husband Bill, she said he and appeals courts. She firmly believed district court level, grappling with tough not only always supported her but he had in working hard to reach your greatest issues involving children. The faces and very high expectations of her. potential. That same year she received stories of children who were held back Wilson was someone who considered the Pioneer Woman Award. In 1986 and from success because of their parents, herself lucky, never having set out with a 1989 she was named Appellate Judge of peers, or their communities stuck with plan to be “the first woman” of anything. the Year by the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers her. The founding of Seeworth Academy She didn’t set out with a roadmap or Association. Oklahoma City University fulfilled her dream to provide children of blueprint for success, she simply worked bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctor troubled backgrounds the resources and hard everyday in a field she was truly of Law degree in 1992. attention needed to succeed. She was passionate about, she was confident in On January 4, 1995, Wilson made known for being very stoic on the bench, herself and what she could accomplish. history again when she was sworn in as showing little emotion and speaking in Justice Wilson was a remarkable woman, Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme an articulate monotone. Contrasting that ahead of her time. The success she found Court, becoming the first woman to hold serious and calm demeanor, she was practicing law opened doors and paved the position. The court selects from its a loud and vibrant cheerleader at OU the way for even more Oklahomans to members a Chief Justice and a Vice Chief football games. believe that anything is possible. On Justice, with a new Chief Justice selected Justice Yvonne Kauger stated in a 2012 the night of her Oklahoma Hall of Fame every two years. The Chief Justice interview, “She had heart, she had grace, induction she told reporters, “Our people presides at all court sessions and chairs she had a zest for life. She played tennis are still our best resource. The best people the state judicial conference. During her with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. She in the world are from Oklahoma.” 38