Lisa Johnson Billy


Lisa Johnson Billy is a Chickasaw-American politician who represented Oklahoma House of Representatives District 42, which includes Cleveland, Garvin, Grady and McClain Counties, from 2004 to 2016. She served as deputy whip and vice chair of the Republican Caucus. Billy was "termed out" after completing her twelfth year in 2016.

Early life

Billy was born on February 21, 1967, in Purcell, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Frank and the late Beverly Jones Johnson. She has one brother, Frank Jr. Before beginning a career in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, she served two terms on the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature from 1996 to 2001. Billy served on the National Board for Girl Scouts of the USA, as well as on the Sooner Council Girl Scouts Board. Billy is married to Phillip Billy, they have three children.

Education

Billy earned a Bachelor of Arts and Business degree from Northeastern State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Oklahoma. While a student at NSU, she was inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame, served on the student senate, and served as the president of the Native American Student Association. She also founded Peacemakers Inc., a small business designed to bring out leadership skills in youth.

Career

Prior to her election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Billy served six years as a legislator for the Chickasaw Nation. She is also a former educator in the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Oklahoma. She was the first Native American, the first woman, and the first Republican to represent her district.

Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

On November 21, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Billy to be a member of the board of trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring August 25, 2024. On December 21, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed her nomination by voice vote. She officially took office on December 27, 2017.