Meet Jane Jayroe

Former Miss America and news anchor in Oklahoma City and Dallas/Ft. Worth, Jane Jayroe has a passion for storytelling, and inspiring other women to live their best lives. Using her voice to encourage others remains an important part of her work.

Esther Women Ministry

Esther Women is a ministry created out of Jane’s commitment to remain grounded in her Christian faith and her desire to share ideas with other women in community leadership roles.

With special guests ranging from state leaders to mothers of NBA superstars, Esther Women is designed to create meaningful dialogue and strengthen fellowship for Christian women as they navigate family, work, and spiritual fulfillment.

Esther Women is a monthly program tailored for women of faith led by Former Miss America and TV news anchor Jane Jayroe. With special guests ranging from state leaders to the mothers of NBA superstars, Esther Women is designed to create meaningful dialogue and strengthen fellowship for Christian women as they navigate family, work and spiritual fulfillment.
Esther Women is an expansion of a project Jane began more than a decade ago, after she was appointed by then-Gov. Frank Keating to serve as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Tourism and Recreation. Determined to remain grounded in her Christian faith and wanting to share ideas with other women in community leadership roles, Jayroe launched a six-week course at Oklahoma City University.
Now she is broadening that message to include women of faith from all walks of life.
“The themes of the life of Queen Esther in the Old Testament continue to resonate today for Oklahoma women,” said Jayroe. “Just as this young woman of faith risked everything for others so long ago, God has a purpose for each season of our lives, as well. We bask in the assurance of a God who is involved in this time of life whether it’s on the mountaintop or in the dark valley, whether it’s defined by busyness or boredom. We were created for such a time as this.”
Esther Women luncheons are held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 222 N.W. 15th St., on the first Wednesday of each month, September through May, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A season pass is required to enter. The luncheons are in the Christian Life Center (CLC) on the south side of the building. Parking is available on N.W. 14th Street. Each program will include inspirational music courtesy OCU and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
“These luncheons are not about networking or promoting a cause,” Jayroe said. “They are meant to encourage and inspire women who already serve their families and communities and will benefit from this time for themselves. It is about the bonds of friendship and the strengthening of faith.”

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Former Miss America and news anchor in Oklahoma City and Dallas/Ft. Worth, Jane Jayroe enjoyed a 16 year career in television journalism. Her passion for storytelling and inspiring women to live their best life is still an important part of her work. Her latest book, “Practice Unleashing the Power of Faith,” is a collection of stories and devotionals written by Jane’s closest friends and other prominent Oklahomans. The books is scheduled for release in December 2018.
Out of her commitment to remain grounded in her Christian faith and a desire to share ideas with other women in community leadership roles, the ministry, Esther Women was created. Jayroe continues to run Esther Women, a monthly program tailored for women of faith. With special guests ranging from state leaders to mothers of NBA superstars, Esther Women is designed to create meaningful dialogue and strengthen fellowship for Christian women as they navigate family, work and spiritual fulfillment.
Jane grew up in Laverne, Oklahoma and is a lifelong Methodist, dedicated to her faith and church. She is married to Gerald Gamble with one married son and two grandchildren.
A graduate of Oklahoma City University, Jane also holds an MA degree from the University of Tulsa. In 1966, Jane Jayroe was crowned Miss Oklahoma and went on to be Miss America 1967. She traveled across Vietnam, entertaining troops and started the annual tradition of Miss America USO shows for America Military Forces. She enjoyed performing in musical theater as well as lending her voice and talent to radio and television commercials through the years.
Jayroe served as Oklahoma Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. She received a number of prestigious journalism awards, including first female to be named, “Outstanding News Personality” in the Dallas market. She was also the recipient of Oklahoma’s Paragon Award for the creation of the television partnership “Volunteer Connection.” Additional national journalism awards followed her role in television for an education program, “Project Challenge.” She is also known for her participation in the weekly television travel show, “Discover Oklahoma.” With Art Linkletter, she co-hosted the 13-part television series for national broadcast, “The Other School System.”
Jayroe is a former trustee of the Sarkey’s Foundation and was appointed by Gov. George Night to the Commission on the Status of Women, by Gov. Henry Bellmon to chair “Oklahoma Reunion ’89” and to the legislative Compensation Board by Gov. David Walters. Gov. Frank Keating appointed her to bet Cabinet Secretary of Tourism.
As an author, Jayroe has contributed to McCall’s magazine and books including, “Out of the Blue,” “Delight Comes in Your Life,” and “Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul.” She was producer of the audio series, “Daily Devotionals,” and created a similar for women titled, “Living Grace-fully.” You can find a full list of Jane’s books here.