For nearly 40 years, Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office was led by an elected female Secretary of State (and de facto lt. governor.) Following a proud tradition of recognizing the role of women in high leadership positions, Wyoming consistently elected - over many terms - three dynamic and impressive women to the second-highest statewide office. We are proud to honor the service and Wyoming legacy of these three women.
Thyra Thomson (R)
January 1963 - January 1986
Thyra Thomson was the first woman elected to the office of Wyoming Secretary of State. Mrs. Thomson, Wyoming’s 16th Secretary of State, holds the distinction of being both the longest-serving secretary of state and the longest-serving of any state-wide elected official in Wyoming’s history. Thyra served Wyoming as Secretary for over 24 years (six terms) between 1963 and 1987. Thyra was extremely passionate about the role of the Secretary of State and worked to build Wyoming’s profile both nationally and internationally. Thyra Thomson was a defender of citizen’s needs and concerns. She established a system of quality daycare at a reasonable price to accommodate working mothers and implemented the oversight of the sale of new securities by the Secretary of State’s Office to protect Wyoming investors. During her tenure, Secretary Thomson was the President of the North American Securities Administrators and was the Vice- President of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. The University of Wyoming named Secretary Thomson an International Woman of Distinction. Throughout her career, she advanced the Secretary of State’s Office and Wyoming politically and economically through her advocacy and tenacity. Thyra died June 11, 2013, at her home in Cheyenne at the age of 96.
Kathy Karpan (D)
January 1987 - January 1995
In 1986, while serving as the Director of the Wyoming Department of Health, Kathy Karpan launched a campaign to become Wyoming’s 17th Secretary of State. Kathy won the election with 54 percent of the vote and was sworn in as Wyoming’s second female secretary of state, succeeding Thyra Thomson. Kathy was reelected in 1990 and served a total of eight years as secretary. During Ms. Karpen’s tenure as Secretary, she oversaw the first statewide special election ever in Wyoming’s history. Kathy convened and led a committee of “founding fathers” who spearheaded the rewriting and implementation of Wyoming’s innovative and business friendly limited liability company statutes - the first in the nation after receiving a favorable IRS revenue ruling allowing LLCs to be taxed as partnerships. Dozens of other states have since enacted similar laws, following Wyoming’s leadership. Kathy’s public service continued after her elected tenure. In July 1997, the U.S. Senate confirmed Karpan as Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement at the Department of the Interior. In 2001, Kathy Karpan returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming where she continues to practice law.
Diana J. Ohman (R)
January 1995 - January 1999
Diana J. Ohman, a first-rate educator, had a 19-year teaching career in the Campbell County School District before becoming the Superintendent of Laramie County School District #1. She was first elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction and served four years in that role before being elected Wyoming’s 18th Secretary of State. During her four-year term, Secretary Ohman was instrumental in launching the licensing program for Wyoming’s iconic Bucking-Horse & Rider trademark. As Secretary of State, Diana focused on policies that further strengthened the relationship between Wyoming’s state government and the military - especially in the area of elections. After her years in elected office, she was appointed Director of the Department of Defense’s Education Authority in Europe and later in the Asia Pacific. Ohman later returned to the United States, serving as the Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration before her retirement. She currently resides in Florida.
Wyoming Women of Note is a series to celebrate Wyoming Women's Suffrage. New highlights will be released each month of this year. Please visit our current featured women here!