Phoenix, AZ: Arizona’s K-12 education system has been a huge challenge for leadership and so far has only minor incremental improvements in performance have been made. Arizona has had three woman governors over the past couple of decades, one being an ex-school teacher. We had large expectations that our woman governors would succeed in using innovative means to significantly increase academic performance and graduation rates. Could you address the reasons why this challenge has not been met, or is it not a gender issue? Janet Napolitano: During my first term, we phased in all-day Kindergarten for every child in Arizona. We gave teachers a historic pay-raise. Through the P-20 process, we have synchronized what we expect from high-school students with what our universities /expect/ from high school students. Education is my top priority. Unfortunately, we won’t see results overnight—but I do believe we will see results over time.
St. Charles, MO: I’m curious about your family history. Have the women before you in your family been leaders? What inspired you to take on this role? Janet Napolitano: My mother, who passed away in 1993, was a very strong influence on my life. While she didn’t work outside the home, she constantly encouraged me to try new things and to take leadership positions. I was fortunate, also, to have strong mentors when I began my legal career—for example, my first boss was Judge Mary Schroeder of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I was her law clerk and we have remained close ever since. She was a wonderful example of pursuing public service at the highest level. It was one of the pleasures of my life to have her swear me in as governor.
New Orleans, LA: As a politician, what are the most difficult decisions that you have to make? And what helps you get through them? Janet Napolitano: As a governor, you not only have to make difficult decisions, you often have to make them with incomplete information. I try to gather as much data as I can, I have an excellent staff with whom I sound out ideas, and I use my best efforts to arrive at a conclusion. The thing I have learned as governor is that once a decision is made, you have to move forward: you can’t keep revisiting everything all the time. Things move fast. You have to keep pace and you have to lead. And if difficult decisions arrive at my desk, well, that’s what I’m there for.
New York NY: What have you most enjoyed about being governor as compared to what your role would be if you were a legislator? What of her own personal characteristics and strengths should a woman with political aspirations take into consideration in deciding what type of office she wants to seek? Janet Napolitano: As a governor, you set the table for the legislature. You lay out the road map of where you think the state needs to go and you have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the state. I found my personality well-suited for the CEO position, and I enjoy it.
Chicago IL: Do you think Bush and Congress are helping solve any of the problems of illegal immigration? I think that in Chicago we have see increased crime and violence because of illegal immigrants. What’s the solution? I know this is a very important issue for your state. Janet Napolitano: You’re right that immigration is a hugely important issue for America and Arizona in particular. The failure of the administration and Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform was regrettable, to say the least. If you’d like to see my views on what reform should look like, please go to my website, www.AZgovernor.gov, where you will find the text of a speech I gave in February at the National Press Club.
Miami, FL: Who are the women that you admire the most? Janet Napolitano: I admire women who take charge of their lives, instead of having their lives take charge of them. Some people have overcome great obstacles, and many do so in everyday life. Maybe you don’t hear about them, but they are heroes in their own lives.
Phoenix, AZ: As much as we’d hate to lose you as Governor, I think you would make a great vice presidential candidate. Would you accept the offer if it were made? Janet Napolitano: Thanks for the kind words.
Bossier City, LA: As you have risen through the ranks of politics have you found that most men do not take women politicians seriously in this country? If so, how have you overcome this obstacle? Janet Napolitano: I have never had a problem being taken seriously. But I place a great emphasis on preparation and knowing my subject before I speak. People of both sexes respond well to someone who is prepared and who has thought through a difficult issue, and that’s what I’ve always tried to do.
Chicago, IL: I hear a lot about how you’re working to shift Arizona’s economy away from the “5 C’s” and into the high-tech world. Could you talk about some of the things you’ve done and what kinds of things you think the federal government should do to help the US better compete globally? Janet Napolitano: We need to move Arizona into a 21st century economy. That’s why my emphasis on education is so important. We’ve always passed tax credits for angel investors, reformed our state strategy for attracting foreign direct investment, and worked closely like Intel and Google to bring them to Arizona. In this way, we will develop a job base that will, over time, increase the income levels of Arizonans and enable our state to weather downturns in things like housing in a much better way. I can’t emphasize enough, though, that an educated workforce is key.
Portland, OR: Do you find that you and your female staff members arrive at working consensus before the male staff members? Janet Napolitano: While I don’t like to stereotype based on gender (or anything else), I can’t help noticing that women tend to be excellent time-managers. Perhaps this is because of other demands on their lives.
El Cajon, CA: In your opinion, what are the qualities in a person that make him or her a leader such that others want to follow him or her? Janet Napolitano: Here’s what I’ve always looked for in a leader: intelligence, thoughtfulness, the ability to articulate a position in a persuasive manner, integrity, and the willingness to take hard positions and stick with them. You find leaders in many walks of life, not just politics. You know a good leader when you see one.
Maryville, MO: You’ve mentioned education a number of times. I’m interested in what you think the best path to improving education is. More standardized testing? Alternative approaches? What is the best way to serve our students? Janet Napolitano: At a minimum, we need to invest in early education, increase the rigor and relevance of what is taught in middle school and high school, use technology more effectively in our classrooms, and provide better resources (including pay!) for our teachers. I am working on all of these things in Arizona. On testing: scores should reflect an increase in overall student achievement that derives naturally from the improvements I’ve mentioned. Right now, though, testing is seen as an end in itself. That’s unfortunate, because it doesn’t fully reflect what kind of education our students have received. That’s why we still need to work on improving NCLB.
Phoenix, AZ: As you continue to travel around the world working to address the major issues facing Arizona, have you faced any major challenges due to the fact that you are an effective, high-powered female leader? Janet Napolitano: I think I face the same challenges as any governor: Making sure my state is safe, strong and prosperous.
Buffalo, NY: Can you see a future where gender is irrelevant to politics? Why or why not? Janet Napolitano: As more and more women move into political office, both in the U.S. and abroad, gender as a barrier becomes less and less relevant. I am judged by the results I reach as /governor/, and I don’t get a pass on any issue because I’m a woman. Nor should I.
Willcox, AZ: You often talk about education and its importance to the future of the economy. Why do you think that’s the case? Janet Napolitano: With the increasing competition from countries like China and India, we have got to improve our educational performance. Last year, when I was chair of the National Governors’ Association, I developed an initiative called “Innovation America,” where we focused on innovation as the key to educational reform and economic progress. Over 40 states are now pursuing this agenda. This means more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in our schools, greater support of our public universities, and identifying economic-development strategies that encourage new and innovative businesses.
Washington, DC: Why do you think there are so few women in public office, particularly women of color? Janet Napolitano: Too often, we emphasize the difficulties in being in public office—like the loss of privacy or personal time. The plain fact is, these are great jobs. You get to do important work, deal with big issues. It’s fun! I am never bored! Those of us who have chosen to enter public office should do a better job of communicating what a fulfilling and rewarding life it is.
Janet Napolitano: Thanks so much for your questions. I enjoyed this format—having a chance to talk with Newsweek readers—and I hope I can do it again. I want to leave with this last thought: that while public life is a wonderful way to make a contribution to your community, there are many other ways too. Don’t be afraid to take on new roles, new challenges and new ventures. If you have a passion about an issue, act on it. You’ll never be sorry.
