Kalyn Free
Kalyn Free is an American attorney, former political candidate, and a tribal citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Early legal and political career
Free was born in Red Oak, Oklahoma, and after she graduated from law school she began her legal career with the United States Department of Justice; she was the youngest attorney ever hired by the DOJ. At DOJ, Free prosecuted federal environmental laws across the country with a special emphasis on tribal lands. In 1998, she ran for and became the first woman and the first Native American ever to be elected District Attorney in Southeastern Oklahoma. During her administration, she focused her efforts on fighting for women, children, and crime victim's rights.
In 2004, she was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the open House seat in the 2nd Congressional District, with the support of Emily's List, the Sierra Club, and 21st Century Democrats. She lost the nomination to the eventual general election winner, Congressman Dan Boren.
Recent work
Kalyn established the very first political action committee devoted to electing Native American candidates at the local and state level, INDN's List [1] (Indigenous Native Democratic Network). An avid runner, Kalyn has run three full marathons and recently completed fourteen half marathons in fourteen months. Kalyn has an abiding interest in Japan and has represented the United States on trips to Japan sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Kalyn and some friends and family capped her second trip to Japan by climbing Mt. Fuji.
Throughout 2011 Ms. Free worked as the attorney and senior adviser of Councilmen Bill John Baker's campaign for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation against the incumbent Chief, Chad "Corn-tassel" Smith. Ms. Free states in an interview with Indian Country News, "I started out as senior adviser on the campaign, and then as the election took the turns as it did, [Baker] suddenly found himself needing a lawyer. I was lead counsel on the recount, the court hearings, the appeals, the second election and the last appeal." Ms. Free again served as senior advisor on Chief Baker's successful re-election in June 2015. Currently, Ms. Free represents Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker's as his Special Counsel.[2]
Kalyn Free is also the author of "Why? Rising to the Challenge" in Voices of the Heartland where she describes her career and struggles as a Native American. Kalyn remains very active in tribal, local, state and federal elections, supporting Democratic candidates.
See also
References
Free, Kalyn. “Why? Rising to the Challenge.” Voices of the Heartland. Ed. Carolyn Anne Taylor et al. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 2007. 75-81. Print.