Linda Briggs

Linda Briggs was born June 1, 1932, to Fred and Emma Dean in Love County, Oklahoma, at the home of her grandmother Minnie Keel Liddell, who was full-blood Chickasaw. Her family later moved to East Texas, where she graduated from Gladewater High School in Gladewater, Texas. After high school, she attended North Texas University, Tulsa University and Bish Mathis Institute.

She married Bill Briggs and together they have two children, Teresa and Marc Briggs. Briggs was widowed at the age of 49 and later moved from Dallas to Marietta. While living in Marietta, she started a remodeling and makeover business for homes.

Briggs served as mayor of Marietta, where she invested in the future of her community and the progress of local health care. In collaboration with Chickasaw Nation leadership, she assisted in the development of an acclaimed Critical Access Hospital and an emergency medical system that supports coverage for 522 square miles.

Briggs was known for having a tremendous business acumen. She understood the need to expand services and develop subsidiary businesses that would add additional revenues. Briggs, along with Chickasaw Nation leadership, worked together to implement business plans that enabled the tribe to expand into more successful business endeavors. The revenue generated growth and development for programs and services that benefit the Chickasaw people and other First Americans.

She served on the Chickasaw Nation Legislature for more than 27 years, from 1994-2000 and 2001-2022. During her time on the legislature, she fulfilled four terms as chair and five terms as secretary. Briggs was instrumental in the formation of the Tribal Utility Authority which supports tribal facilities and is a multimillion-dollar operation.

Briggs has served in many other community roles including Marietta city treasurer, Marietta city council member, Marietta board of education member and on numerous Chickasaw Nation boards. She was also an alternative member with the National Congress of American Indians for 10 years.