# Helen Cole

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**Helen TeAta Gale Cole** (July 13, 1922 – April 7, 2004) was an American politician who served in the [Oklahoma House of Representatives](/source/Oklahoma_House_of_Representatives) from 1979 to 1984. She first served in the [Oklahoma Senate](/source/Oklahoma_Senate) from 1984 to 1988. She returned to the state senate in 1991 and was succeeded by [Kathleen Wilcoxson](/source/Kathleen_Wilcoxson) in 1997.

Her son, [Tom Cole](/source/Tom_Cole), is the longest-serving Native American in the history of the [United States Congress](/source/United_States_Congress).[2]

## Early life and education

Helen TeAta Gale was born in [Tishomingo, Oklahoma](/source/Tishomingo,_Oklahoma), on July 13, 1922, to William Oakley Gale and Avis Minnette Fifield (Thompson).[3] She was raised in a single-parent household and graduated from [Ardmore High School](/source/Ardmore_City_Schools) in 1939.[3][4]

## Career

Cole was active in several local civic and political organizations, and contributed to the successful gubernatorial campaigns of [Henry Bellmon](/source/Henry_Bellmon) and [Dewey Bartlett](/source/Dewey_Bartlett).[3] Cole was named a delegate to the [1968 Republican National Convention](/source/1968_Republican_National_Convention), and Bartlett appointed her to the Oklahoma Personnel Board.[3] Cole ran for a seat on the [Oklahoma House of Representatives](/source/Oklahoma_House_of_Representatives) and was first elected in 1978. From 1979 to 1984, she represented district 54.

Cole contested the 45th district [Oklahoma Senate](/source/Oklahoma_Senate) seat in 1984, and won one term. Cole retired. She returned to her political career when elected as mayor of [Moore, Oklahoma](/source/Moore,_Oklahoma), in 1990.

The next year, she succeeded her son [Tom Cole](/source/Tom_Cole) as state senator from the 45th district. Cole was named a National Convention delegate for a second time for the [1992 Republican National Convention](/source/1992_Republican_National_Convention).[5][6] Cole stepped down from the state senate in 1997, and was succeeded by [Kathleen Wilcoxson](/source/Kathleen_Wilcoxson). Cole was appointed a National Convention delegate for a third time for the [2000 Republican National Convention](/source/2000_Republican_National_Convention).[5][6] In retirement, she became a benefactor of the [University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Science_and_Arts_of_Oklahoma).[7]

## Death

She died on April 7, 2004, at the age of 81.

## Personal life

Cole was of [Chickasaw](/source/Chickasaw) and [Choctaw](/source/Choctaw) descent. She was a member of the [Chickasaw Nation](/source/Chickasaw_Nation).[6]

## References

1. Lehmann, Gene. ["Feature film to spotlight Chickasaw actress Te Ata"](http://www.chickasawtimes.net/Home/Feature-film-to-spotlight-Chickasaw-actress-Te-Ata.aspx). *Chickasaw Times*. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

1. ["Cole becomes longest-serving Native American in history"](https://amp.oklahoman.com/amp/7410360001/amp/7410360001). *The Oklahoman*. April 23, 2022.[dead link]

1. ["A Concurrent Resolution praising the life and public service of Helen Cole; mourning her loss and offering condolences to her family; and directing distribution."](http://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2003-04%20INT/sres/scr58%20int.pdf). 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

1. Arrington, Shannon Lynn (August 10, 2017). ["Helen Cole, Against all Odds"](http://www.duncanbanner.com/news/helen-cole-against-all-odds/article_b99c65b8-7d6b-11e7-baf7-2bfd434765c0.html). *The Duncan Banner*. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

1. ["Helen TeAta Gale Cole"](https://legacy.newsok.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=helen-teata-gale-cole&pid=2114475). *The Oklahoman*. April 9, 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003530/https://legacy.newsok.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=helen-teata-gale-cole&pid=2114475) July 23, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

1. ["Helen TeAta Gale Cole"](https://www.chickasaw.tv/profiles/helen-teata-gale-cole-profile). Chickasaw.tv. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

1. ["Cole, Sen Helen TeAta (Gale)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180723034120/https://usao.edu/news/cole-sen-helen-teata-gale). University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. April 7, 2004. Archived from [the original](https://usao.edu/news/cole-sen-helen-teata-gale) on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Helen Cole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Cole) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Cole?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.