Wanda Jo Peltier

Wanda Jo Peltier (July 26, 1933 – July 26, 2023) was an American politician in the state of Oklahoma. Peltier served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1986 until 1996, representing District 93. After her time in the legislature, Peltier ran for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She served a term as the president of the Commission on the Status of Women and is also the owner of a technical writing company, Peltier Pen Productions.

Early life Peltier was born Wanda Jo Gramlich on July 26, 1933 to parents Richard and Zethel Gramlich in Checotah, Oklahoma. She moved to Oklahoma City with her husband, Bob Stapleton, in 1982.

Education and career Peltier held a bachelor of arts from Oklahoma Baptist University in English that she earned in 1963. She received her master's in English from the University of Kansas in 1965. Peltier worked as an assistant professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University from 1968 to 1973. Peltier was also the owner of a technical writing company, Peltier Pen Productions, from 1977 to 1986.

Peltier helped to build the Oklahoma Women's Political Caucus, a branch of the National Women's Political Caucus in order to lobby for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. At the time, this branch was the third largest in the nation based on population, with more than 800 members statewide. Peltier served as the chair of this organization from 1980-1984.

Oklahoma legislature Peltier served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1986 until 1996, representing the 93rd district.

Peltier later ran a statewide race for the Corporation Commission and was runner-up with 48% of the vote. Outside of public office, Peltier leads a busy life. She worked with a private tutor for two years learning Spanish and has worked as a consultant in numerous campaigns. Peltier also spent several years serving as a literacy tutor for adults. During her time tutoring children in reading, Peltier published her own book, Vowels, patterns and sounds: designed for self-help and classroom use

In 2010, after a political corruption investigation including her state legislator, Peltier decided to campaign for her old legislative seat. Peltier did not win the election and was beat by Representative Mike Christian.

House Committees Vice-Chair on the Health and Mental Health Committee Vice-Chair of the Education Committee

Death Peltier died in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 26, 2023, her 90th birthday.