Service was a way of life for Flavia Brown Bare (1927-2003) whether in her career
or in her personal life. The 1949 graduate of Oklahoma College for Women spent her
entire career in community health and voluntary health agencies.
The Shreveport, Louisiana, native was sent to OCW by her protective parents. She would make Oklahoma her permanent home after marrying James Doyle Bare. They are the parents of two sons, James D. Jr. and William R., and the grandparents of six.
She was responsible for fund-raising efforts, organization and establishment of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, serving as associate director of the Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation from 1955 until 1965. Bare then became the first paid staff person of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, serving as its executive director from 1965 until 1969.
She was the first female on the professional staff of the Oklahoma division of the American Cancer Society. Bare served in many capacities including Executive Director, 1969-75; Crusade Director, 1976-1983; Deputy Executive Vice President, 1977-83; and Executive Vice President, 1983-89.
Bare negotiated the first contract between ACS and United Ostomy Association to provide patient information and support programs for ostomy patients. She also organized the first Reach to Recovery program in Oklahoma, which provided patient education and support for breast cancer patients.
Bare's other accomplishments include organizing the Oklahoma Coalition on Smoking and Health, started Great American Smokeout in Oklahoma, and organized the "Donate Your Car to the American Cancer Society" project.
She was responsible for organizing the effort that got a grant for a breast screening center in Oklahoma at the University of Oklahoma Medical School. The four-year grant allowed 40,000 women to receive free breast screenings, helped every nurse of the state Health Department to be trained in physical examinations, and helped countless technicians receive training in mammography.
In addition to these activities, Bare has served on several National ACS committees, several volunteer committees, and published on several occasions for ACS.
Her other varied activities include serving PTA and Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball official scorer, Sunday School teacher, as well as organizing and heading the volunteer beauty shop at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Hospital.
She served the USAO Alumni Association as vice president, president elect, and fund raising chairman, and served on numerous committees including the Search Committee for President of USAO. She was President of the USAO Alumni Association at the time of her death, Nov 20, 2003. In her spare time, she was a book reviewer, member of Christian Women's Club (Stonecroft Ministries), inspector at election polling place, and a quilter.