Dorothy Conaghan Chiles

Dorothy Conaghan Chiles
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 38 district
In office
1973–1986
Preceded by Brian F. Conaghan
Succeeded by Jim Reese
Personal details
Born Dorothy Dell
(1930-09-24)September 24, 1930
Oklahoma City, OK
Political party Republican Party (United States)
Spouse(s) Brian F. Conaghan (deceased), Robert Chiles (1986 - present)

Dorothy Conaghan Chiles (born September 24, 1930) was a U.S. politician from the state of Oklahoma. Her first husband, Brian Conaghan, died due to complications from leukemia while serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. In 1973, Chiles was elected to fill his vacant seat, and she served for thirteen years until 1986. She represented the 38th district, which includes Grant and Kay counties.

Early life

Chiles was born in Oklahoma City, OK in 1930 and spent he first twenty years of her life there. She graduated from Classen High School.

After graduating from high school, Chiles went to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. On her first day of college, Chiles met her first husband, Brian Conaghan. After two years, Chiles decided to leave college and marry Brian. The two moved to Tonkawa, OK. They joined the Young Republicans and Chiles became the secretary of the organization.

Chiles became Brian's campaign manager when he ran for office in 1962. He developed leukemia in 1969 and three and a half years later he died in 1973.[1] When asked if she would run for his vacant seat, Chiles accepted and was soon elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[2]

House of Representatives

Elected in 1973, Chiles served until retirement in 1986.[3] Chiles was involved with several bills that restricted the sale of harmful substances to minors such as the raise in drinking age from 18 to 21 and the age limit on the sale of gold paint. Chiles voted "no" against the passage of the historic ERA amendment. Chiles was the first woman to fulfill the role of assistant minority floor leader.[4]

Committees

Retirement

Since retiring, Chiles got remarried to Robert Chiles on August 15, 1986. She has taken up several different activities including golf and bridge. Chiles has served in other capacities since leaving the office. She was appointed by Governor Henry Bellmon to be a commissioner on the Health Planning Commission. The legislature eventually dissolved this commission and Chiles went on to become the third vice-chairman of the Oklahoma Region of Christian Churches and, because of being on the board, was elected President of the Oklahoma Christian Foundation. Chiles and her husband reside in Sarasota, FL. She has three sons, two step-daughters and eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.[2]

Service roles

Other roles in which Chiles has served in her lifetime include:

References

  1. ↑ "Seat Going to Widow?" (April 10, 1973). The Oklahoman. Online digital archives. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 Finchum, Tanya (July 2, 2007). "Oral history interview with Dorothy Conaghan Chiles". Women of the Oklahoma Legislature. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Historic Members". okhouse.gov. Oklahoma State Legislature. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "House Adds 3rd Woman To Its Ranks" (June 5, 1973). The Oklahoman. Online digital archives. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
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