Becki Murphy

In a Facebook post that has gone viral, Oklahoma attorney Becki Murphy is frustrated and disappointed with the response of Oklahoma lawmakers to the statewide teacher walkout that is now entering its second week. Teachers in the state are demanding increased funding for schools, and are shutting down schools across the state to get the attention of the legislators.

Now Murphy is harnessing the awesome power and force of 100 women lawyers to end the funding stalemate that is jeopardizing the future of Oklahoma’s children:

Dear Oklahoma Legislator:

I, along with 100 female attorneys, will be coming to see you Monday. I am asking to meet with you and discuss a resolution to this educational funding nightmare. I feel like we can help you, collectively, come up with a resolution. But let’s be clear. There WILL be change. And it WILL be for the better for our children. As Nelson Mandela once said “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul that the way in which it treats its children.” Let me be clear about one thing, we need change. And you will do it, or you have my word…. one of the 100 women by my side will file for your seat…. and we will do it for you. I prefer to work with you. It’s your choice if you will work with me.

Sincerely –

Becki A. Murphy

P.S. I’ll see you Monday. We will be the women in black. You will see us coming.

As reported by the Tulsa World, Murphy is a mother whose children attend public schools and she’s disappointed at the lack of support teachers are getting from the state. But a big part of what motivated Murphy to take action was the attitude of the legislators towards the teachers — they seemed to be talking down to the educators:

Murphy, who is an adoption attorney at Tulsa-based Murphy-Francy PLLC, was partly inspired to act after commentary from lawmakers toward teachers that, to her, seemed derogatory in nature.

“I just had it,” she told the Tulsa World. “I asked myself, ‘Can we get a bunch of women out there and see if we can fill this gap?'”

While Murphy is understandably frustrated at the situation, let’s be clear — she’s Team Teacher all the way:

“I can’t buy that there is no solution,” she said. “We have to figure out how to fill in the gap. We will propose change and help draft legislation that creates change for everyone. Teachers have done everything to get the attention of legislators, and it hasn’t worked. I get it. I’m 100 percent behind them.”

Murphy has received a lot of support from teachers who are encouraged by her plan to march on the Oklahoma Capitol Building. And she’s hit on a great idea to end the standoff (one that borrows a lot from Biglaw’s business model): throw 100 angry lawyers at the problem.

Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).