Stacy Bruce sat in her office in front of a poster that read “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” Though the inspirational quotes surrounding her seemed simple, they set the tone for her leadership of Bridges, an organization that houses, feeds and encourages teenagers in Norman in difficult situations.
After Paula Sophia Schonauer transitioned physically from male to female, she went back to work at the Oklahoma City Police Department. A few years into her transition, she said she was openly harassed by her fellow officers. She naturally complained to her bosses.
The two highest ranking staffers in the Gender and Equality Center have left the University of Oklahoma for out-of-state positions within the span of a year, forcing students and remaining staff to modify the organization to function without its major leaders.
Thomas Campbell, former director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, once described a museum as “a place you can come to escape, where there’s authenticity, there’s uniqueness, there’s calm, there’s physicality.” The Sam Noble Museum in Norman, established in 1899, has a history that spans almost 120 years.
A year after opening their new residential community, Food and Shelter Inc. staff members said the 32-house development built to accommodate Norman’s homeless is flourishing. Office and Properties Manager Xochit Thompson said having their own homes gives residents a newfound feeling of confidence.
Growing up, Kali Miller says she had everything that she desired. As she got older, she started to notice not everyone had the same privileges and lead her wanting to make a change.
Fueled by a belief in justice and passion for equality, 17-year-old Faythe Miller has dedicated her professional life to the defense of the oppressed and misfortunate.
Donovan England wants to be an actor. Much of his preparation comes from his drama class, but he finds his best lessons come from being a worship leader at his church, where he gets to mix his two passions: performing and worshipping God.
“I think that my family is such a strong influence in my life that I just love being around them, and they’re always so positive and uplifting. They hype me up,” says Claudia Standeford, a 17-year-old from Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
A young boy grown into a young man develops his passion for helping others and spreading awareness for issues people do not want to talk about.