Evans School alumna and Visiting Committee member Ginny Anderson (MPA '75) is the executive director of the Safeco Insurance Foundation and former director of the Seattle Center. She shares her thoughts on women in leadership roles and finding balance in her life as a mother and civic volunteer.
Entering public service in a very male-dominated world, you've truly blazed a trail for women to follow. What things have you learned along the way?
“I was reasonably small, I was blonde, I was cute back then, and found men often held stereotypes that underestimated me. I used to feel like I should really let them know that I'm smarter than they might assume. I felt like I needed to help them overcome those prejudices. Finally I decided, "You know, they bring that to the table and that's OK if they want to give me that advantage." I didn't feel offended by it. I saw it as a strength for me.
You said it was a long time before the second bow wave of women leaders after the 1970s. When did you notice that arc was happening?
“Honestly, not until the 90s.”
Since the 90s, have you seen anything else change as far as leadership roles for women, either on the local or national level?
“I've learned that we women are as susceptible to the perversions of power as men are. And power, you know, is a very powerful aphrodisiac. It's very seductive and it's easy to lose your way. It's not that one day you wake up and you're suddenly somebody different. It's just, you know, piece by piece. Over time, idealism can fade and power can corrupt. And I don't honestly believe that women are any less vulnerable to that.”
How do you stay on track? How do you keep yourself in place and not let that consume you?
“Well, I quit my job every now and then. Four times I've quit a job without another job in mind, and partly because I'm terrified of being a prisoner of my own image. It was hard this last time leaving Seattle Center. It's not easy to leave your identity and how people know you. I also think adopting a child this late in my life - it's very humbling to have a 12-year-old. It's like, ‘Mom, why do you have all those lines around your eyes?’”
Is there advice you give to your daughter that you would give to young women today, especially those who are pursuing an MPA?
“I would like women to open themselves to the full spectrum of possibilities for themselves. It doesn't have to be right or wrong to choose to stay home and raise children, or right or wrong to choose work. We are blessed, unbelievably blessed, by society's acceptance of a wide range of identity options for women. Most men don't have the full spectrum of identity options women have. It's a gift. To leave open where their right path is, that's what I would hope for women - for anybody really.”
In talking about being a mom and also having a full-time job, I also know you're an avid volunteer. How do you make that decision of where to make that investment?
“I wish there were a good equation. I'm terrible at it, but I would say one thing I have learned to do is to admit that I've made a mistake. I've made commitments to things and learned later that it's not always the right thing for me. I've learned to leave those things and focus my time where it matters for me.”
Does it enhance your life, or fulfill your life to do those volunteer things?
“Of course. Each one meets a need that I have. For example, I didn't have stable housing as a kid, so the fact that I'm involved in Housing Resources Group is a natural expression of my need to see people have more stable housing and my intellectual interest in development processes. And my interest in the International Children's Festival—I have a child from China, and the world is open to her. It's so fascinating. We're complex people, and I think it's too much to ask your job, or your family, to meet all of your needs, interests, and emotional connections as a human being. We put so many requirements on our jobs and our relationships when there are so many other ways to find larger expressions. Being involved in the community has always been that for me.”
