Spring 2016 Fellow Annise Parker served as mayor of Houston, the fourth largest city in the US, for six years. She is only the tenth woman and first gay mayor to lead a major American city. Parker came into politics with 20 years of private sector experience in the oil industry and 10 years owning a small business, but she says government is a different world. Get to know Parker and join her study group on Wednesdays at 4pm.
1. What can students expect to learn in your study groups?
I'll lead discussions about why governing is such a challenging career, and offer ideas and advice from the campaign through all aspects of public life.
2. Millennials are known for their social activism, but not necessarily their political engagement or action. What would you say to those that doubt the value of voting or political participation?
Politics is merely one way to determine who makes certain decisions for us. Every daily choice we make has political echoes; the shampoo I buy telegraphs whether I care about animal testing, excess consumer packaging, exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, etc. In turn, particularly in urban areas, we live embedded in a web of government decisions that affect every aspect of our physical lives.
3. Can you talk about a turning point moment that defined you as a person and emboldened your choice of career?
I realized that I had spent 20 years in industry working to support my community volunteering and activism. Governing allowed me to turn my passion into my day job. I've been excited to go to work every day since.
4. What do you think the “Future of Politics” will look like?
A lot like the past. The world will still belong to those who show up. And those of us who care will.
5. Your study group focuses on the realities of governing versus campaigning. What are two things people should know about the realities of governing?
It is a difficult job, often performed with insufficient resources by unprepared people. Public life requires private sacrifice.
Follow Annise on Twitter at @AnniseParker, and follow @IOPFellows to see what Annise and the other Fellows are up to throughout the spring.