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For the first time in its 168 years, Portland is governed by a City Council that is majority women.
With the election of Jo Ann Hardesty in November, three of the five city commissioners, including Chloe Eudaly and Amanda Fritz, represent a third of all women who have served on the council ever.
Gender equity has been slow to arrive. But Oregon now ranks third among states for most women serving as state lawmakers, accounting for 41 percent of the Legislature.
Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle tipped the balance for statewide elected offices as well—three of those five offices are again held by women. And the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is now, as it was before, all women.
Equity is a good goal in itself, but women at the helm could mean different results.
"Those women are also bringing up issues that matter to women," says Jillian Schoene, executive director of Emerge Oregon, which trains Democratic women to run for office. "The family- and women-centered issues being debated today are all long overdue discussions."
1. Because we're not afraid of public displays of affection…
2. Because women are in charge…
3. Because our local theater scene tells true, inspiring Oregon stories…
4. Because Kevin Calabro and Lamar Hurd make even Blazer losses fun…
5. Because we're still No. 1 in semi-factual superlatives…
6. Because we have a sixth quadrant now…
7. Because the hottest rapper in the game is obsessed with us…
8. Because Oregon is gradually getting more diverse, and in unexpected ways…
9. Because we can work it out…
10. Because we helped jump-start the movement that's changing the tech
industry…
11. Because if you want to, you can dance to…
12. Because we're so sex positive, you can take a class on…
13. Because we're working to become a bike haven again…
14. Because after walking across Antarctica, I can still come back
to my favorite dive bar…
15. Because the Blazers' game-day posters are the coolest collectibles in sports…
16. Because our airport is Beervana…
17. Because our fake fast food beats the real thing…
18. Because the Big Pipe is keeping poop out of the river…
19. Because we're making an effort to diversify the cannabis industry…
20. Because we finally have a virtual reality playland…
21. Because we have nicer weather than Hawaii (no, really)…
22. Because Basic Rights Oregon is fighting for LGTBQ+ rights—and winning…
23. Because Portland State's gym just underwent an awesome makeover…
24. …and the courthouse is getting one, too.
25. Because our hotel bars are some of the best bars in the city…
26. Because you'll spend less time in jail here than the national average…
27. Because we make some of the best guitar pedals in the biz…
28. Because our Curry is better than that other Curry…