A person with a positive attitude and a boundless amount of enthusiasm, Maimee Lee Browne initiated a variety of programs from a college savings program for school children to organizing the first formal Citizenship Ceremonial in 1922 that remains the model for our country's naturalization ceremony.
After moving to Oklahoma City in 1923, Mrs. Browne directed her energy toward projects such as starting the first parent education classes in Oklahoma City schools and forming the city's Planned Parenthood Federation. In 1938, her efforts to have the Redbud tree designated as the state tree proved successful.
Mrs. Browne died in 1963. Her husband, Virgil, later established a memorial fund as a way to perpetuate his wife's love for her community. The fund continues to support the Fund for Oklahoma City, which supports innovative programs and projects throughout the community.