Influential Woman · City of Oklahoma City public works and emergency response
Lucretia Smith
City of Oklahoma City, City of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma, OK
Her Story
About Lucretia
Lucretia Smith dedicated 30 years to the City of Oklahoma City in roles spanning public works and emergency response. She began her career in water and sewer operations, where she completed training and obtained a forklift license. She later moved to the traffic division and took on first responder responsibilities supporting police and disaster efforts. Her disaster response work included the 1995 bombing and subsequent tornado events. Throughout her tenure she held a Class A CDL and operated specialized equipment. Since retiring four years ago, she has maintained her passion for helping others through volunteer work with her church. She advises young women entering male-dominated fields to learn everything they can, remain stern, and persist, noting the supportive team environment she experienced over three decades.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lucretia
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn everything you can, be stern, and don't give up. Just keep on keeping on. It's hard when females work in a male dominant workplace, but I was truly blessed to work with a lot of guys that really cared and loved me for 30 years. We were like a team.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is just being safe, keeping the public safe when we had disasters. It's keeping them safe and just helping people. I love helping people no matter what.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My family. I still have my dad. I spent a lot of time with my dad. My church. Still a lot of volunteer work with my church.
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