My feature profile of Oregon State House Rep Shemia Fagan was months in the making. Worth it. It ended up saying exactly what I wanted it to, although I didn't know what that was when I started:
The story was near completion when my editor asked me "what is this story about?" I wrote this op-ed for the Willamette Collegian, explaining how I learned the answer:
Shemia Fagan just had a baby. Whatever, women have babies all the time (not me though, gross).
But Fagan is also serving her first term in the Oregon legislature - - from attorney to Democratic House Representative. She started campaigning while pregnant, and popped little Alton out a few months before election day. Like, what? Who does that? It was an intense campaign too; she was up against an incumbent.
I find a kindred spirit in Liz Lemon. As a young professional woman on a focused career trajectory, I’ve considered the likelihood of “having it all.” My conclusion? “Don’t even think about it, bro.”
My mom never went to college, and stayed at home to raise my brother and me. I love her, a lot, but I’ve worked hard to ensure that I never find myself in her predicament. “You don’t need no maaaan to get by” has been my personal mantra since I was about 7. Except when I was 14 and wanted to grow up to be a professional housewife, but I got over it.
My brilliant defense is to throw myself into my work. I’m the news intern at Oregon Public Broadcasting, and report on government affairs, local politics, and sometimes the weather (it’s alright, I’m the intern).
A few months ago I chose to profile Shemia Fagan. I knew she’d just had a baby, and figured there had to be a story in there somewhere. Plus there’s more women in congress now than ever before, so it was all coming together. For weeks I showed up at her town hall meetings, followed her through the Capitol, and visit her at her home.
Something about her was off.
She’d work 12 hour days at the Capitol and constantly meet with local constituents, then on Saturday morning she’s just relaxing in front of the fireplace watching The West Wing, with I hate to admit it, the cutest baby in the universe. And she seemed fine! So nonchalant about “having it all.”
I may have had some ulterior motives when I started the project. I’ve tried so hard to convince myself that I’m just going to be this dragon-woman, killin it in the professional world, and as utterly alone as I am successful. But. But. Maybe the idea of having a family isn’t the worst. Maybe babies are OK, sometimes. Maybe I know my hypothetical offspring would be the cutest and the smartest ever. And maybe Shemia Fagan could show me how it’s done. I thought my report could end up being a “how-to” for young women all over the world struggling to find that balance.
I also worried it might end up being some awful, patronizing, “Look! Women can accomplish things too!”, or an equally patronizing “Let’s count all the sacrifices women have to make boo-hoo” story.
It ended up being none of those things.
After her baby was born, Fagan’s husband “manned up” (her words) and took family medical leave. She told me that’s what made it all possible. She head back to the campaign trail knowing her baby was well. Her husband still cares for the baby often now that she’s at the Capitol.
Then she mentioned that her dad was a single parent raising three kids, and had dreams of running for public office, but never could.
I had found my story.
It wasn’t about sacrifice. Fagan doesn’t feel like she’s missing out on anything. She works hard as a legislator but knows how to tell people no. She isn’t there for every second of her baby’s life, but still gets plenty of quality time with him (like while she breastfeeds him in the dressing room at Target).
And of course it wasn’t some miracle story. This woman is obviously qualified for the job and it’s ridiculously condescending to be surprised by that being possible.
It ended up being a story about support. For men and women, having support is enabling, and kind of necessary (no matter where that support comes from). I’ve been prioritizing my independence because I didn’t want anything to hold me back (turns out I’m not actually a psychopath though, so that plan is flawed).
But women aren’t changing - they haven’t evolved into Superwomen whose days actually consist of more than 24 hours; although they’re still willing to sacrifice a lot of themselves for their families. Careers aren’t changing - jobs are still jobs, and you need to be competent; although the increased presence of women have changed some workplace dynamics.
The point is there’s a chance that us young women won’t have to choose between professional success and love and family. I’m not trying to be as peppy and optimistic as Fagan either. What she’s doing actually is a big deal, and she’s doin a’ight, but I feel like she’s trying really hard to come off as being so composed, with everything under control.
Maybe we can be part of the change we want to see. Legislation is slowly but surely working its way towards creating a fair and equal workplace for the sexes. And society still has its doubts, but is getting used to the idea that women are a little more than childbearing vessels. But maybe the harder we try to prove ourselves, the more we interrupt that progress. Everyone needs support, but that’s OK. We’ll probably be able to accomplish a lot more with it. Unless you actually are a psychopath. In which case have fun just being CEO.
