Regina Young Interview

Photo via PA Senate Democrats

BY: CAITLIN MULDOWNEY, SUMMER COLLABORATOR AT POWER IN PLACE

Regina Young’s entrance into politics was not spurred by ambition, but rather necessity. Before running for State Representative of Legislative District 185, she worked in the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Education as the Community Schools Organizer. As a longtime social worker and community organizer, she felt that there was work to be done beyond the scope of the role she was currently filling. 

Throughout the interview, it became clear that two things have run consistently throughout Regina’s career: her commitment to education and community development. While her job titles and employers have varied, she has consistently placed the importance of human capital at the center of her work. This is evident through her campaign in the listening tour she embarked on prior to running, and the consistency she displayed in connecting with her constituents throughout the pandemic. 

In her recent talk with Power in Place, she urged attendees to center their careers on an issue they are passionate about, rather than a specific industry or position. In her own words, “connect your importance with who you are.” This advice is particularly salient as it becomes more common for employees to spend a shorter amount of time in a role before moving on. [1] Therefore, dedicating one’s career to a set of values or causes they care deeply about will not only be more fulfilling, but will also make it easier to chase new opportunities and to deal with change.

Regina took her own advice in deciding to run for office. As she put it, it was “an opportunity [she] couldn’t ignore” and, “a risk [she] had to take because [she] wanted to see the community more empowered.” Although politics was not a path she would have predicted for herself, she embraced the change and risk because it offered her an opportunity to expand upon the work to which she was passionate and committed. Regina’s grassroots campaign against a longtime incumbent was successful, with her becoming the Democratic nominee this past June. [2] Even if this were not the case, I am confident that she would find new ways to promote education, economic development and criminal justice throughout her community and beyond. [3]

References

[1] Landrum, Sarah. “Millennials Aren't Afraid To Change Jobs, And Here's Why.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, November 10, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahlandrum/2017/11/10/millennials-arent-afraid-to-change-jobs-and-heres-why/ 

[2] Marin, Max. “With Less than $10,000, Philly Candidate Scoops PA House Seat from Democratic Dynasty.” Billy Penn. Billy Penn, June 16, 2020. https://billypenn.com/2020/06/13/with-less-than-10000-philly-candidate-scoops-pa-house-seat-from-democratic-dynasty/

[3] “Platform.” Regina Young For PA 185. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.reginayoung185.com/platform

Caitlin Muldowney is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in International Relations and Modern Middle Eastern Studies. She is involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed national community service fraternity and works as a research assistant studying the effectiveness of international organizations. She is passionate about international human rights and learning new languages.

The Grand Canyon State

Arizona is one of my favorite states in the nation.  I have many fond memories of descending into the Grand Canyon and hiking the mountains around Tucson.  It is a place of exquisite light and indelible imagery—the painted desert, the saguaro cactuses, the unique flora and fauna.  Arizona also claimed a piece of women’s political history in 1999 when it appointed 5 women to top executive offices (Governor Jane Hull, Secretary of State Betsey Bayless, Attorney General Janet Napolitano, Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Graham-Keegan, and Treasurer Carol Springer).  The “Fab Five,” as they were known, accompanied the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, into the history books. 

Many of these remarkable women started their careers in the Arizona State legislature, so it was only fitting that the first Arizona PiP subject was State Representative Victoria Steele.  I took her portrait encircled by the Santa Catalina Mountains of her Tucson district.  

As she put it, “The exquisitely beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains overlooking Tucson have always been a source of inspiration and power to me.  When I need to balance the strong and steady nurturing power of Mother Earth with the hectic pace of being a Legislator, I escape to these mountains with my little power puppy Moki.  From the Catalina Mountains I can see my entire legislative district—my heart fills with love and I can return to this work that I am so honored to do.”

And as it turned out, the portrait coincided with an emotional time for Victoria during which she needed the nurturing powers of the mountains.  Two weeks before, she courageously testified against the proposed Arizona State Bill—SB 1318.  This bill would make it mandatory for sexually assaulted women seeking an abortion to disclose their experience to their insurances companies in order to be financially covered for the procedure.  Victoria stood up in a hearing and unexpectedly revealed her own highly personal and traumatic story about sexual assault, offering an intimate perspective on how this law might effect women.

That evening, I headed back to Phoenix right away since I had a 7am appointment the next morning with Congresswomen Kyrsten Sinema at the bottom of a climb to Piestewa Peak.  Knowing that the congresswoman is an accomplished athlete, I wondered whether I would be able to keep up with her—Kyrsten has completed  an ironman triathalon and has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Fortunately there were others on the climb who kept the pace from becoming too punishing.

Having climbed Piestewa Peak countless times, Kyrsten could have done it with her eyes closed.  She enthusiastically pointed out all the various Phoenix landmarks in the panoramic view.  When we reached the peak, I understood why this ambitious woman is able to bring such energy to her political achievements.  It was all there in her unflagging athleticism.

Later that day, I met  the Mayor of Surprise at a dance studio.  For Sharon Wolcott, practicing ballroom dancing provides a necessary respite from her busy life as a mayor.  A number of years ago, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, which left her deaf in one ear and compromised her sense of balance.

When Sharon began learning how to dance, she told her partner, Nick, “whatever you do, don't let go!”  She was terrifying of falling down.  Not only did Sharon master her personal health challenge, but she went on to compete professionally in ballroom dancing, garnering at least one gold metal in her division.  Watching Sharon, I was struck by her confidence and graceful movement.  She is a true inspiration, proving that one can overcome a health challenge with dedication and hard work.  I’m sure the community she serves is grateful for her strength and triumph.

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has the honor of representing 12 distinctive native tribes in her district.  Growing up alongside White Mountain Apache Nation (her mom was a schoolteacher and her dad owned a general store), she has a deep connection to the  spirit and culture of Native peoples.  So it was only appropriate that she chose Heard Museum as her place of special meaning.  Their extensive native art collection focuses on telling the stories and personal histories of Native people through artistic expressions.

Ann was wearing casual jeans, her trademark cowboy boots, and a beautiful Native American turquoise necklace—taken together, an apt representation of her diverse constituency.  The congresswoman is a delightful and generous person.  Her warm inviting smile bespeaks of her reputation as an authentic voice for her community.  It’s no wonder she has earned the respect and trust of her district, which includes conservative ranchers, Native Americans, and more liberal-minded voters from the Flagstaff region.  It was a wonderful finale to another very successful PiP adventure in the Grand Canyon State!