Penny Williams
| Penny Williams | |
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| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 33 district |
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In office 1989–2004 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Randle |
| Succeeded by | Tom Adelson |
| Member of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives | |
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In office 1981–1988 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Brunton |
| Succeeded by | John Bryant |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Penny Baldwin May 6, 1937 New York City, New York |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Joseph H. Williams (1956-1974) |
Penny Baldwin Williams (born May 6, 1937) is an American Democratic Party politician from Oklahoma. Williams served as a legislator in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1981-1988, representing District 70. She later was elected to the Oklahoma Senate, representing District 33, from 1989-2004. Senator Williams authored important bills on education during her time in the legislature, including the historic education reform act. Williams also authored a series of bills to strengthen math and science, and the bill creating the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. A supporter of the arts, Williams influenced art education in public schools, and was instrumental in the creation of the Art in Public Places Act.
Penny Baldwin Williams was born in New York City to Peter and Polly Baldwin . During World War II, her parents divorced and she lived part time between Long Island and New York City. After moving around from North Carolina to California due to her step father’s involvement with the U.S. Marine Corps, the family settled in Camden, South Carolina. Williams attended Saint Catherine’s boarding school in Richmond, Virginia when she reached the ninth grade. After graduating from high school, Williams attended Sarah Lawrence College from 1955 to 1956, and left to marry her husband Joseph H. Williams. The two moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1957.
The family lived in Iran for several years while Joe went to work for a pipeline company after his time in the army. While there, Penny became more interested in politics and adopted a broader world view. Penny attended the University of Teheran from 1965 to 1967, and the University of Tulsa from 1968 to 1976. When the family returned to the United States, Penny joined the League of Women Voters, got involved with local politics such as the campaign for Jim Jones, and worked under her mentor, Henry Bellmon. Penny worked as an education and civil rights activist up until she decided to run for legislature.
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