The Oklahoman
Mcloud, Okla. (AP) -- She once wanted recognition for her singing talent, but Millicent Newton-Embry has earned a different distinction.
The former Muskogee police officer and mother of two has made history as the first black woman to be a warden at an Oklahoma maximum-security prison.
Newton-Embry was appointed to the position in March but received the key to the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center last week at a change-of-command ceremony.
She is the third black woman to receive the title of warden, following the 1992 appointment of Rita Maxwell as warden at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center for women and the 1995 appointment as warden of the Howard McLeod Correctional Center for men.
But both of those are minimum-security facilities.
Ron Ward, Corrections Department director, said Newton-Embry has organizational skills and the ability to manage large, complex issues.
“She has demonstrated through her career that she is one of those individuals who can manage just about any situation they face,” Ward said.
Newton-Embry said her experience and understanding of the needs of female inmates are her greatest assets.
“I bring an understanding, in terms of women’s issues and how they see the world,” she said. “I also know from my experiences about what works for women.”
Newton-Embry started off as a music major in college, with the intent of making singing a career. She was drawn to law enforcement, however, and graduated in 1984 with a criminal justice degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.
Newton-Embry joined the Muskogee police department as one of six rookie officers and was the only woman in her class.
She was drawn to the pardon and parole aspect of corrections and became a parole officer in 1987. Newton-Embry said she learned that female criminals were physically and sexually abused, and have unique needs.
“I do think I bring something of value to the table,” she said. “It is no secret that women of color represent the majority of women in our prisons, nationwide.
Newton-Embry eventually became responsible for all community correction centers and halfway houses in Oklahoma County in 2001.