Representative Michelle McCane

Michelle McCane made history in 2024 as the first woman and openly LGBTQIA2s+ person elected to represent District 72 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As a Black and Native American woman, McCane is also the second person of color to hold this seat. A Tulsa native, she earned her GED in 2003 and pursued higher education while raising her two children who are now 14 and 21 years old. 

McCane earned an associate's degree from Tulsa Community College in 2012 before completing a bachelor's degree in 2014 and a master’s degree in 2018 at Northeastern State University. Beginning her professional career in education in 2010 with Tulsa Public Schools, she served as a teacher assistant, English teacher, and later as a Library Media Specialist. 

Her dedication to public education and commitment to students earned her Teacher of the Year honors at McLain High School (2020-2021) and Traice Academy (2023-2024). She has also received additional accolades for her exceptional impact on student outcomes and her steadfast advocacy for public education. 

Following the 2018 Oklahoma Teacher Walkout, McCane’s commitment to educational equity grew even stronger. She assumed leadership roles within the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, collaborating with educators to champion equitable resources for students and advance policies that promote fair wages and robust support systems for teachers