Connie Cronley Offers "A Life on Fire: Oklahoma's Kate Barnard"

On this edition of ST, we welcome writer Connie Cronley back to our program. She's one of our regular commentators; her previous books include "Sometimes a Wheel Falls Off," "Light and Variable," "Poke a Stick at It," and "Mr. Ambassador: Warrior for Peace." Cronley joins us to discuss her latest book, "A Life on Fire," which is a fascinating new biography of Kate Barnard (1875-1930). Little-known today but very active and influential in her early-20th-century prime, Barnard was a tireless political reformer -- and the first woman named to statewide office in Oklahoma -- who championed the poor, workers, children, the imprisoned, and the mentally ill. She also contributed greatly to the Progressive aspects of our state's 1907 constitution, and likewise advocated for compulsory education, prison reform, better mental-health care, and child-labor regulations. Please note that Cronley will be doing a signing/lecture/book launch event tonight (Tuesday the 14th) at the Tulsa Historical