OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Oklahoma Hospitality Club proudly announces Jane Semple Umsted as a 2026 Ladies in the News Honoree, recognizing her lifelong dedication to art, education, and the advancement of Native American culture throughout Oklahoma and the region.
A professional artist and owner of the Indian Territory Art Gallery in Durant, Umsted currently serves as curator of the Semple Family Museum of Native American Art. She is a registered and enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and has devoted her career to preserving cultural heritage while inspiring creativity and learning across generations.
“Jane Semple Umsted’s impact on the arts and education is extraordinary,” said Susan Howard, President of Oklahoma Hospitality Club. “Her leadership, talent, and unwavering commitment to Native art and education make her a truly deserving Ladies in the News honoree.”
A retired art educator, Umsted taught in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas from 1969 to 2007, nurturing creativity and cultural appreciation in countless students. From 1990 to 2000, she served as Director of Alumni and Public Relations at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Master of Education degree. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma and is a proud graduate of Du- rant High School.
As an artist, Umsted has received wide recognition for her work, including multiple First Place and Heritage Awards at the Five Tribes Art Show and numerous honors at the Choctaw Nation Art Show in Tushka Homma, Oklahoma. She has presented three solo exhibitions and remains an influential leader in the regional art community, currently serving as President of the Red River Arts Council and as past president of both the Durant Artist Guild and the Longmont, Colorado Artist League.
In recognition of her lasting contributions, Umsted was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame in 2024 and named to the Oklahoma “55 Over 55.” She continues to serve on several arts and university boards, furthering her lifelong advocacy for Native art, education, and community enrichment.
The 2026 Ladies in the News event will be held April 10, 2026, at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Other Oklahoma women honored at the event are: Whitney Anderson, Founder, The Dragonfly Home; Rachel Cannon, Founder, Rock Paper Cannon; Jackie Davis, Owner/CFO, Davis Paint & Collision, Inc.; Stacy McNeiland, CEO, Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma; Dr. Tina Floyd, Owner/CEO, OKC Spark Softball; Kendra Horn, President/CEO, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation; Ayana Lawson, VP Lifestyle Services & Social Impact, Oklahoma City Thunder; Sydnie Peebles, Founder, Sydnie Banks Luxury Handbags; Erica Portell, Director of Community Engagement, Oklahoma City Ballet; Amy Reeves, VP/Co-Owner, Landmark Fine Homes LP; and Veronica Zelada, Owner, Café Kacao.
Proceeds from Ladies in the News will benefit the vital services of The 34 Project and The Christmas Connection Crisis Connection furthering Oklahoma Hospitality Club’s charitable mission.
Individual tickets are $100.00; personal tables of 10, $1,000.00 and a Silver Sponsor Table of 10, $1,500.00. Additional information including corporate and other levels of sponsorship, ad placement in the program book and other ways to partner may be found at www.oklahomahospitalityclub. com or by contacting Ladies in the News Co-Chair, Kacy Hays, at ladiesinthenewschair@ gmail.com. Tickets are available for purchase online at Zeffy.com.
One of Oklahoma’s oldest and most prestigious charitable organizations, Oklahoma Hospitality Club, was organized in 1923 by women wishing to extend hospitality to distinguished visitors to the state. The mission of Oklahoma Hospitality Club is philanthropy and service, implemented by raising funds and serving to aid and assist other non-profit charitable, benevolent, religious, educational or scientific corporations that qualify and are also exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
