Sarah Hazen Stitt is an American businesswoman who has served as the First Lady of Oklahoma since 2019.
Early life and career
Sarah Hazen grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was homeschooled until she was a teenager when she first attended public schools. Growing up, her mother suffered from mental health problems, but refused treatment due to social stigmas. Her mother attempted suicide and her siblings had drug addictions. Her father also developed mental health problems during this time. Sarah cites her childhood experience as motivation for her mental health advocacy.[1] She founded Gateway Mortgage, alongside her husband, Kevin Stitt, and worked there for twenty years.[2]
First Lady of Oklahoma
Sarah Stitt became the First Lady of Oklahoma when her husband Kevin Stitt was sworn in Governor of Oklahoma on January 14, 2019.[3] She was credited with improving her husband's approval with women voters during his 2018 election campaign.[4] During her tenure, she has focused on mental health.[5] In 2020, she led a fundraising campaign for a non-profit that focuses on preventing child abuse.[6] Later that year she assisted with the restoration of the Book of Redemption for Vernon A.M.E. Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[7][8]
Sarah Stitt Act
In 2021, Oklahoma HB 1679 was named the "Sarah Stitt Act" after the first lady. The bill provided state identification documents to prison inmates that do not have one.[9] The bill was sponsored by Representatives Brian Hill and Marilyn Stark.[10] In the first year after its passage, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections found more than 1,300 birth certificates for inmates.[11]
Personal life
Sarah met Kevin Stitt in the summer of 1997 at a church service.[12] The couple married on June 1, 1998.[13] They have six children.[2] She is a member of the Republican Party.[14]