EDMOND —
Martha Rickman was born in Palmira, Columbia. She came from a very large family — her mother and 14 other siblings.
Life was hard. When she was just 8 years old, her older sister became head of the household along with her mother. They did not have enough money to sustain themselves. Her family’s house was made out of dirt and cardboard boxes.
Seeing the huge amount of need her family had pushed her to press on and to better herself each day so she could be of support her family.
In 1985, right out of high school at the age of 18 she decided to leave her home town for America. She left everything she knew — the language, culture, food, friends and family — to come to the United States.
On July 26, 1996, she was naturalized in Oklahoma. At the same time, she was working at a supermarket. She decided to study to become a hair stylist. After working hard and saving money she went to a beauty academy in Santa Monica, Calif., and to another in London.
She opened her own business cutting hair and teaching dance. She became a member of the American Business Woman Association and continued to be a performer. Her dedication and hard work led to her being nominated as the associate of the year. She has given back to the community by volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She has been a member of the International Dance Studio and has taken flamenco classes.
In 2004, she founded Clips ‘n Hips in Warr Acres. She has also served as one of the directors of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Miss Hispanic pageant.
After suffering a broken hip and other injuries in a car accident, Rickman was told she would never really be able to dance again.
“But due to prayers and my desire to continue on, as I always have in the past, I’ve overcome injury and now consider this stage in my life my second chance,” Rickman said.
She shared her story Friday with 118 new U.S. citizens from 33 countries during a naturalization ceremony on the UCO campus. She said her culture and her ancestral roots make her who she is today.
“This country was built on the backs of immigrants,” she said. “And together we have made this melting pot a place to make new traditions, new customs, but still spread who we are and where we come from. That’s what I love most about America. I get to live as an American, but still be proud of my roots.”
She said she achieved the American Dream, the same dream shared by all immigrants who come to the United States. She spoke proudly of her two daughters born here, her husband and several other family members.
UCO’s Constitution Hall temporarily became a court room for U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma Chief Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange and her fellow judges. After the presentation of colors by the UCO ROTC Color Guard, Jordan DeBose sang the National Anthem.
After taking the Oath of Allegiance the new citizens watching a videotaped welcome from President Barack Obama. They also watched a stirring video featuring Lee Greenwood’s patriotic song “God Bless the U.S.A.”
During her remarks, Miles-LaGrange said the new citizens retain all of their cultural heritage. They came from Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Honduras, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The most were from Mexico.
“The only change now is that you have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and its political system and to support and to defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States,” she said.
The new citizens also received Social Security paperwork and had the opportunity to register to vote. Miles-LaGrange said the court hopes to see some of them running for public office some day.
“You can express yourself freely without any fear of retribution from the government,” Miles-LaGrange said.
She also touched on freedom of press and the freedom to worship as they see fit without governmental interference. She said she has no doubt they will be productive, law-abiding citizens.
“I have no doubt that each and every one of you will have a great part in making our great republic better,” Miles-LaGrange said. “We welcome each and every one of you. Thank you. And congratulations.”
UCO President Don Betz addressed the new citizens and recognized their family members and others who supported them during their journey.
Betz spoke about the founders of the state of Oklahoma who wanted to provide for education so they built Old North. Classes began in 1893 and in 1919 the Territorial Normal School became Central State Teachers College.
“And teachers were important, because without teachers we wouldn’t have citizens who were schooled not only in the ways of democracy, but also the values that support that democracy,” Betz said.
The naturalization ceremony was part of UCO’s annual Constitution Week, sponsored by the American Democracy Project.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
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MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN Some of the more than 100 new U.S. citizens stand during Friday's naturalization ceremony on the University of Central Oklahoma campus.
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