Linda Capps
What makes Linda Wildly Capable?
A teacher in the 1970s, Linda has carried her passion for education into public service. At a time when few women sought political office, she ran for Vice Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and has held the position since 1990, making her one of Oklahoma’s longest-serving female public servants. She champions Tribal education, preserves heritage and pride, and uses her influence to uplift others and strengthen the community. – ALLY GLAVAS
What makes you feel proud?
I am extremely proud of my family. Although my husband is deceased, he left a legacy of three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. I am very proud that my children and grandchildren have grown to be successful, Christian adults. I am also proud of Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN), where I have been an elected official for 38 years; vice chairman for 36 years. I have helped grow our Tribe from $500 in the bank and 2.5 acres in 1972 to a budget of $671 million for the year 2026 and the owner of thousands of acres. I am proud to be a Christian. I believe it has everything to do with daily attitude, happiness, and love for mankind. It gives the strength to live in a world of turmoil and still maintain a peaceful heart.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
My mother. As the youngest of seven siblings, I lost my father to a work-related accident when I was two years old. Our mother raised us by herself until we were grown. That was a difficult task; one that took strength, faith, hope, and perseverance. She was a wonderful, selfless, gracious, and loving lady. There is hardly a day that goes by that I do not think of my late mother and the values she imparted to her children.
What keeps you up at night?
I rarely worry about myself and my own issues —it is too late for that — but I do worry for other people. I worry about the condition (politically, economically, and spiritually) that our world is in today. I worry for our children, grandchildren, and future Americans. I worry about housing issues, the homeless, and economic stability of young people. With more than 250 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2025 alone, we all should be contemplating solutions to this nightmare.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
It is difficult to lose loved ones. It is very difficult to lose a spouse, but extremely hard to lose a child. I lost my adult daughter to cancer three years ago, which is probably my toughest obstacle in life thus far.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self? How might it have changed your course?
Be patient. Young people think they must have a solution to their dilemma immediately. Patience is a valuable virtue. If I had been more patient with employment, I would have moved less in my past. It could have saved the agony of the move, but eventually I would hope for the same outcome.
