Liberty Bell awarded

The Duncan Banner

Lawyers, judges, court clerks and those interested in legal matters made their way Friday to Duncan Golf & Country Club for the annual Law Day luncheon and golf tournament. During the event, Jarita Askins was awarded the Liberty Bell Award, which is the highest and most prestigious honor given to a private citizen by the Stephens County Bar Association every year. “I had no idea,” Askins said. “This never entered my mind that I would get this award until about half-way through the introduction. I feel so blessed, there are so many good people in Duncan. There’s a lot of competition.” While she may not have known she would receive the award, her son, Marty, knew for a couple of weeks in advance. “I’ve had to keep it a secret,” he said. “I’m so happy for her. Dad (Ollie) got the award 13 years ago. Thirteen years before that, his sister (Opal Turner) received the award.” Her daughter, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, was also pleased for her. “I’m happy for her,” she said. “Her being considered a methodical and organized person is a huge understatement.” Stephens County District Judge Joe Enos presented the award and elaborated on Jarita Askins’ background. “She’s a lifelong resident of Oklahoma,” Enos said. “She was the first female editor of the Oklahoma Daily. She has resided in Duncan for over 50 years when she and her husband established a family business that continues to this day.” Enos said that Askins believes that anything worth doing is worth doing well and, if it is worthwhile, then anything can be accomplished with determination. Enos then listed some of the highlights of Askins’ accomplishments in Duncan. • She chaired the annual United Way campaign for Stephens County.

• She chaired the media campaign when Duncan sought the approval of its citizens to approve the establishment of Duncan Regional Hospital. • She was the first non-physician to be named to serve on the board of directors of Duncan Regional Hospital, a position she held for more than 12 years. • She was the first woman to be named to a directorship of a local bank. • She is the creator of the Thanks For Your Time award presented by former recipients of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year. • She initiated the volunteer chaplaincy program at Duncan Regional Hospital. • Her establishment of the Friends of Duncan Regional Hospital set the framework for what is now the Duncan Regional Hospital Foundation. After listing these highlights, Enos then described in detail Askins’ true passion in life — golf. “To say that she is an avid golfer is an understatement,” Enos said. “I am told that her first date with her husband, a golf enthusiast himself, was a golf date.” • She was instrumental in launching a girls’ junior golf program in Duncan. • She was one of the organizers of the Duncan Women’s Golf Association. • She implemented the USGA Course Rating System for women. • She is one of four women enshrined in the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association’s first Hall of Fame class in May 2005. As she reminisced about the game that she hasn’t been able to play for a long time, Askins had a smile on her face. “Golf makes you a better person,” she said. “I miss it. It’s been years since I played.” When Askins was playing the game, she wrote a song for a skit that Enos said gives one an insight to her character and outlook on life. “You gotta have heart. “All you really need is heart. “When you simply can’t get up to the pin, “That’s when a grin should start. “You gotta have hope.“Mustn’t sit around and mope.“Though your ball is buried deep in the sand,“Rare back and hit and hope.”