Mayor Parker ‘Pushing Progress’

Roberta Cowan

The Signal

Houston’s 61st mayor, Annise Parker, returned to the UHCL campus Wednesday, March 23, as the featured speaker for the Intercultural and International Student Services’ Women’s History Month “Pushing Progress” event.

In his introduction of Parker, UHCL President William Staples pointed out that the mayor is the second of only two female mayors of Houston and is the “only person in Houston’s history to be a city council person, the comptroller of the city and now, obviously, the mayor.” As part of her opening comments, Parker elaborated on Staples’ comment.

“I am proud to be only the second woman mayor in Houston’s history,” Parker said. “Interestingly enough, of the major American cities, the cities over a million in population, there’s only been 10 of us; two in Houston.  When you think about it, there has never been a woman mayor of New York, there has never been a woman mayor of L.A.; I think there has been one in Chicago way back.”

In keeping with the event theme “Pushing Progress” Parker said, “In both mayoral positions and in positions for governor, the CEO-type positions, there is definitely still something of a ‘glass ceiling’ and it is still significant when a woman achieves those positions.”

A native Houstonian, Parker was inspired by her mother and her grandmother, both of whom worked outside of the home in a time where that was not common practice.

“They both had very high expectations of me to succeed,” Parker said.

She was also influence by her father and grandfather, who she said, “taught me to compete.”

Of the public figures that influenced her, Parker cited her time as a volunteer with the campaign of city councilwoman Eleanor Tinsley, the first woman elected to the Houston city council.

“I am still in awe of what she managed to accomplish,” Parker said.  “She probably did more to change Houston, to improve and modernize Houston, than certainly any other council member and more than a few mayors.”

Parker answered questions from students and community members in the audience, and covered issues from the city budget and how census data results will affect Houston to the repeal of the red light cameras and how this has affected traffic patterns and the budget.

During the question and answer portion of the event, an audience member asked a question concerning what Parker would tell young women in order to prepare for a leadership position.

“The number one message they get is: education,” Parker said.  “Education is the gift you give yourself and education is your investment in the future.”

Parker also stressed the importance of being engaged in community, saying that the skills she learned through participation with various civic clubs and organizations prepared her for her current office.

Focusing on the legacy that she wishes to leave to the city, Parker touched upon the issue that she considers most important to Houston.

“This is my city, my hometown, and I treasure ability to change the face of Houston, and one of the ways to do that is to finally address flooding issues in the city.”