Odilia Dank

Odilia Mary Dank
Oklahoma State Representative
In office
1994–2006
Preceded by Mary Fallin
Succeeded by David Dank
Constituency 85th House District
Personal details
Born Odilia Mary Russo
September 3, 1938
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Died August 17, 2013(2013-08-17) (aged 74)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) David Dank
Children One daughter, Trina
Residence Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alma mater Randolph-Macon Women's College
University of Oklahoma
Occupation Politician
educator
Religion Roman Catholic
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Oklahoma

Odilia Mary Dank (September 3, 1938 August 17, 2013) was an educator from Oklahoma City who served as a Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, from District 85. Dank was elected in 1994 and served until she was term limited in 2006.[1]

Early life

Odilia Dank was born in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Dr. Peter and Dr. Magdalene Russo.[2] The family moved to Oklahoma when she was two years old. Dank and her family lived at Lake Aluma Chulosa, a small township on the northeast side of Oklahoma City. Her father worked as a radiologist and her mother worked as a dentist prior to marriage. Dank graduated from Casady High School in Oklahoma City.

Education and career

Thereafter, Dank earned a bachelor's degree in 1960 from Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1974, she received a Master of Education degree from the University of Oklahoma at Norman.

Dank worked in the Oklahoma City public school system for 20 years as an educator and counselor; for 12 years, she was a counselor at Del City High School.[3] Her first teaching job in southwest Oklahoma City was teaching government and Oklahoma history. On the weekends, Dank and a fellow teacher would travel around the state which in turn resulted in her interest in politics.[4]

Oklahoma House of Representatives (1994–2006)

Mary Fallin vacated her House seat in order to run for lieutenant governor and Dank decided to campaign for the vacancy. Dank was elected to represent District 85 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1994 and served until 2006 when her husband, David Dank, ran and succeeded her. During her time in office she was appointed chairman of Education Committee, the first woman in that position. She also served two terms as vice chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party.[5]

Committees

Awards and achievements

Dank received several awards and recognition for her work in the legislature, including:[4]

Death

Dank died of cancer on August 17, 2013 in Oklahoma City.[6]

Governor Mary Fallin, Dank's predecessor in the state House, issued an executive order on August 19 directing that all flags on state property be flown at half-staff in Dank's honor from August 23–26.[7]

References

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