Teneal Bent introduced at Public Works Committee as appointee to Tulsa Women’s Commission

Teneal Bent introduced herself to the Tulsa Public Works Committee after being nominated to fill an open seat on the Tulsa Women’s Commission representing Council District 9, with a term expiring May 31, 2028.

Bent said she moved to Tulsa from Jamaica as a child, was raised in Broken Arrow, and has degrees from the University of Tulsa, the OU Schusterman program and is completing a doctorate at Oklahoma State University. “I’m invested,” she said, adding that she is especially focused on economic empowerment, mental health and the needs of women in midlife who can be “erased, silenced, minimized” as they age.

Council members welcomed the appointment and suggested immediate, practical steps the new commissioner can take. Councilor Lori Decker Wright urged commissioners not to wait for full-commission consensus before raising urgent policy recommendations. Members noted specific older-woman housing needs raised at the Family Safety Center meeting earlier the same day and encouraged Bent to pursue practical policy work and advocacy at both city and state levels.

The committee said Bent’s appointment will be recognized at the council’s Oct. 22 meeting at 5 p.m.; committee members encouraged Bent to attend that public recognition and speak if she wishes.

Bent thanked the committee and said she looked forward to contributing to the commission’s ongoing work on childcare, mental health and economic issues affecting women across life stages.