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Peggy Blevins was born on July 8th, 1952. She was raised on a farm in Jay, Oklahoma, a small city with a vibrant Native American population. Raised in a strict religious household with her sister Delphyne, Peggy’s childhood was enriched by outdoor activities like fishing and swimming in the nearby creek.
Her father, a Baptist Minister and a product of Indian boarding schools, instilled in Peggy a deep pride in her Native heritage and an ethos of acceptance towards others. This upbringing would later shape her compassionate approach to life and her role as a supportive ally to the Two-Spirit community.
In the late 1970s, after studying at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Peggy faced the challenges of single motherhood after divorce when her child, Wade, was just five years old. Determined to provide for him, she took on multiple jobs and did whatever was necessary to ensure Wade had a stable upbringing. She worked tirelessly in roles ranging from secretary and convenience store clerk to deputy appraiser and cartographer at the Delaware County Courthouse, where she encountered and challenged prejudice against Native Americans for 23 years until her retirement.
The early 1990s brought about a significant personal journey for Peggy when Wade came out as gay. This was a big adjustment for Peggy and her conservative parents, who helped raise him; however, Peggy embraced her son unconditionally. Seeking guidance and support, she turned to friends and actively sought to understand and learn about the LGBTQ+ community.
Peggy’s journey towards advocacy intensified when she started attending gatherings of the Tulsa Two-Spirit Club. Her involvement included working with the Intertribal Youth Group, where she helped local youth reconnect with their cultural identity through activities like making Grass Dance regalia and Cherokee moccasins. She also started accompanying Wade to the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirit (BAAITS) annual Powwow, where Wade would sing and drum, which he still does to this day. Peggy’s dedication and impact as an ally to the Two-Spirit community was formally recognized in 2023, when she was honored at the BAAITS Powwow in California.
Now retired in Jay, Oklahoma, Peggy Blevins remains a steadfast advocate and ally for the Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ community. Her legacy is not only in her professional involvement, but in the many lives she has touched and supported throughout her journey. As Peggy reflects, “I only have one biological son, but many other sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers.” Her impact resonates through generations, embodying the spirit of compassion, acceptance, and advocacy that defines her remarkable life.
Peggy’s son is OUTWORDS interviewee Wade Blevins, a Cherokee nation citizen who’s worked tirelessly to preserve the Cherokee language for future generations.
