Women of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Operation Halo advisor Charity Robertson is a major reason why our self-defense courses have been so successful. In the very first course she participated in, she concluded the course for us with a powerful monologue about “grit” that completely shifted the energy in the room. Every young woman listening, myself included, recognized the important role this value plays in our daily lives. Charity herself is a great example of grit - she was the first woman to graduate from her department’s Defensive Tactics Instructor School. She embodies strength and resilience, possesses great knowledge of self-defense techniques, and exhibits an incredible work ethic in her daily life. Therefore, Mike and I were thrilled when she agreed to join the Operation Halo advisory board. 

Charity is also one of my boxing instructors, so you can imagine my surprise when I began researching her background to write this biography, and then discovered how much I didn’t yet know about her. This article is my way of celebrating her—because often, the most accomplished people fly under the radar. While she probably prefers it that way, the world deserves to know about remarkable women like Charity Robertson.

Charity initially aspired to be a professor of English literature. She earned a Master’s degree in Education and a PhD in Literature, living in both Oklahoma and New Jersey at different points in her life. However, her brother was involved in an auto accident when she was younger, and she often wondered how things might have been different if he had worn his seatbelt. This thought later resurfaced when she considered a career change, leading her to join the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Now, she keeps others safe by enforcing the use of seatbelts and compliance with the laws that govern transportation. Her rapid career advancement exemplifies the strength and determination women need to succeed in male-dominated fields, and I’m filled with pride having learned about all that she has overcome. No one can tell her story better than Charity herself, so I’ve linked her PhD dissertation to this article. “Guns and Grit: The Women of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol” offers insight into the challenges women face in law enforcement, but also the incredible impact they can have. Consider reading Charity’s story or one of the other female State Troopers’ stories to swell with empowerment and pride for women today.

Charity has since been promoted to Captain of Troop R, where she oversees security at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Alongside this demanding role, she is now in her third year of law school. Charity is an extraordinary individual, and I am deeply grateful for her mentorship in boxing and her commitment to joining our team. With women like Charity supporting our mission, Operation Halo is well-equipped to educate and empower the next generation of young women.