1960’s Goldtone Okie Lapel Pin Tie Tack with Enamel Tree and Water Drop

This pin is a souvenir item related to the history of the term "Okie" and efforts to transform it into a symbol of pride for Oklahomans.

In the early twentieth century, people from Oklahoma were occasionally nicknamed "Okies," a natural shortening of the state's name.

The term took on negative connotations with the publication of John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath in 1939. A California newspaper reporter at the time applied the nickname to all migrants, and the term became a derogatory label, similar to a racial or ethnic slur.

In the mid-1960s, a public relations campaign was advocated to reclaim "Okie" as a symbol of pride and respect. This campaign involved the creation of buttons, certificates, and contests to change the negative image. Governor Dewey Bartlett even signed certificates bestowing the title of honorary Okie on individuals.

The term is now often used with pride by Oklahomans, moving past its original negative association.