story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
Oklahoma Alliance on Aging organizers encourage seniors to attend Senior Day at the Capitol on Monday, March 3. They stress that legislators need to “Hear Our Voices” about issues concerning seniors in Oklahoma.
Attendees can arrive at 8:30 a.m. and sign in at the second-floor rotunda. Volunteers and signs will guide them. The free and open-to-the-public event continues until 1:00 p.m.
Attendees are invited into the House Chamber in a once-a-year opportunity to fill the members’ seats and House gallery as they listen to a slate of the highest-ranking elected state leaders.
This Senior Day session on the west side of the fourth floor at 10 a.m. includes aging advocates explaining the legislative agenda. Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell will begin the speaking, followed by State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Kyle Hilbert, and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Jeffrey Cartmell.
Oklahoma senior citizens, caregivers, and those interested in issues impacting older Oklahomans are invited to share their ideas, needs, and concerns with state leaders and lawmakers. They can also connect with organizations and state agencies to learn about services available for older Oklahomans and discover current legislation that may influence them.
“The focus of Senior Day is to ensure that many older Oklahomans are present at the Capitol to demonstrate to legislators their determination that we are heard and not forgotten,” said Trish Emig, former Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislator. “Older Oklahomans deserve a place at the legislators’ table so that bills can be passed to sustain the quality of life for both current and future Oklahoma elders. Every day, 160 Oklahomans turn 65. We must ensure their voices are recognized and that life is good for all Oklahomans—from birth to 60, 80, 90, and beyond.”
The beginning of a legislative session is the best time for older Oklahomans to interact with their elected representatives. This is when laws are being proposed and discussed and when legislators are most likely to be open to hearing from their constituents.
The day at the capitol is meant to prompt elected leaders to take positive actions on bills addressing aging issues that will help seniors have a better quality of life.
Participants are also encouraged to visit their legislators beginning at noon in their offices and meet their staff for contacts they can follow up on later. Seniors may also visit exhibitor booths on the 2nd-floor rotunda, providing a wide range of information about senior services and issues.
All individuals and groups planning to attend are encouraged to register on the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging website’s Events page, but it is not required. Nonprofit organizations and government programs requesting an exhibit table and those interested in sponsoring may use the registration link Registration: Senior Day at the Capitol 2025 to contact the agency.
The Oklahoma Alliance on Aging organizes the annual Senior Day event with the Oklahoma Aging Partnership, the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature Alumni Association, AARP-OK, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Community Living, Aging and Protective Services Division.
Please allow time to find parking and a short period of time before your first event to get through the Capitol Security checkpoint so you do not miss anything.
For more information, call (405) 943-1895 or email [email protected].
