Helen Cole

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

Her son, Tom Cole, is the longest-serving Native American in the history of the United States Congress.

Early life and education Helen TeAta Gale was born in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, on July 13, 1922, to William Oakley Gale and Avis Minnette Fifield (Thompson). She was raised in a single-parent household and graduated from Ardmore High School in 1939.

Career Cole was active in several local civic and political organizations, and contributed to the successful gubernatorial campaigns of Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett. Cole stepped down from the state senate in 1997, and was succeeded by Kathleen Wilcoxson. Cole was appointed a National Convention delegate for a third time for the 2000 Republican National Convention.

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

Personal life Cole was of Chickasaw and Choctaw descent. She was a member of the Chickasaw Nation.