Kalyn Free facts for kids
Kalyn Free is an American lawyer and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She used to be a district attorney, which is a lawyer who works for the government to bring cases against people accused of crimes. Today, she represents Oklahoma on the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This group helps guide the Democratic Party in the United States.
Early Career and Public Service
Kalyn Free was born in Red Oak, Oklahoma. She went to high school there and then studied at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Later, she earned her law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
After finishing law school, Kalyn Free started working for the United States Department of Justice. This is a very important government department that helps make sure laws are followed. She was the youngest lawyer ever hired by the department at that time. She worked on cases about environmental laws across the country, especially on lands belonging to Native American tribes. She also became the first Native American to be a supervising lawyer in that department.
In 1998, Kalyn Free made history when she was elected District Attorney for Pittsburg and Haskell counties in Oklahoma. She was the first woman and the first Native American to hold this job in those counties. As District Attorney, she worked hard to protect the rights of women, children, and people who had been victims of crimes.
In 2004, she ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She wanted to represent Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District. She had support from groups like Emily's List and the Sierra Club. However, she did not win the nomination.
Working for Native American Voices
In 2005, Kalyn Free started a group called INDN's List. This name stands for Indigenous Native Democratic Network. The group's goal was to help elect Native American candidates who shared progressive ideas in local and state elections. She used her own money to fund INDN's List until it closed in 2010.
Kalyn Free also played an important role in the leadership of the Cherokee Nation. In 2011, she was a lawyer and senior advisor for Bill John Baker's campaign to become the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She also helped him win re-election in 2015. Later, she advised Chuck Hoskin Jr. in his successful elections for Principal Chief in 2019 and 2023. Currently, she works as Special Counsel for Chief Hoskin.
Kalyn Free has also written about her experiences. She wrote a chapter called "Why? Rising to the Challenge" in a book called "Voices of the Heartland." In her writing, she shares her journey and the challenges she faced as a Native American.
Personal Life
Kalyn Free is married to Steve Bruner. They were married in 2009.
She is also interested in Japan. She has visited Japan as a representative of the United States through a program called the American Council of Young Political Leaders.
See also
- Politics of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Democratic Party
