OL Reign Legend: Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland – Representative of Washington’s 10th Congressional District

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between OL Reign and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to our August 21 match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, OL Reign recognized Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, for her continuous contributions to Tacoma and larger Washington state community. 

Congresswoman Strickland was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in the South Sound. She graduated from Tacoma Publics Schools and went on to earn her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington. She worked in financial services in Seattle for a few years before she went on to earn an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University, a Historically Black College and University. 

“My path to leadership and elected office was not linear and I think that’s true for a lot of people,” said Strickland. “Sometimes there’s an assumption that when you’re in a position of leadership, you knew exactly what you wanted to do and just followed your path to get there.” 

After earning her MBA, she returned to the Pacific Northwest. “I did a lot of volunteer work in the arts and with some different organizations like the Black Collective. I was recruited to run for City Council and that’s really how I started getting into politics. I started at the local level, and I do really believe that there’s just no substitute for local politics. You are on the ground. You see the people that you represent every day, whether it’s at the grocery or out working in your yard. I just think that local politics makes for a very strong foundation if you move on to state or federal politics,” shared Strickland. 

Prior to Strickland’s election to Congress, she served as Mayor of Tacoma, where she helped transform a city and economy crippled by a deep recession into a destination for families, workers, artists, tourists and entrepreneurs. In addition to attracting over $1 billion in investment for housing and businesses, she was instrumental in investing over $500 million in infrastructure for roads, bridges, transportation, and the Port, creating over 40,000 new jobs in the Tacoma region. 

Now, Strickland is the first African American to represent Washington State at the federal level, and one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress in its 230-year history. She serves as a Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in addition to the House Armed Services Committee. She is also a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, Democratic Women's Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition. In Strickland’s first 200 days in Congress, she saved constituents nearly half a million dollars, introduced and passed two bills out of the House – the Puget SOS Act and the Build More Housing Near Transit Act, and secured House passage of $20 million for transportation projects in Washington’s 10th Congressional District. 

“I have broken barriers, but you’re always reminding yourself that it is an honor to be the first, but you never want to be the last. So, what are you doing to cultivate talent that will come around you and after you, so it is just becomes a routine, commonplace idea to elect diverse candidates and people of color that reflect the entire community?” 

Throughout her journey to becoming who she is today, Strickland has had to face many challenges and persevere through challenging times. Through it all, she thinks to her past for additional motivation and inspiration. 

“For me, I get strength by thinking about where I came from. Even though I have had some challenges in my leadership journey, there were people who came before me that faced challenges that were far more daunting than anything I have experienced. Dealing with things like the right to vote, the ability to show up, to even be a feasible candidate if you are African America, Asian American, or a woman. This all allows me to understand that I stand on some very tall and broad shoulders, and I have a duty to pay it forward.” 

“Then of course, also my family’s story also motivates me. My father joined the army as a young man and served for over 20 years,” Strickland recalled. “He went to Korea, where he met my mother, who then came over here with her family – her Black husband and her Black and Korean child. We landed in the deep south in the 60’s and we were not welcome there. Understanding their journey and the risks they have taken and the fact that they always wanted me to have opportunities to have access to things and get exposure to the world that they did not have. That has always been part of my gratitude to my parents but also helps me to understand the duty that I have.” 

When asked about the advice she would give to young women pursuing a dream or goal in a field where they are underrepresented, Strickland made it clear that relationships are incredibly important to finding success and continuing to break barriers that are still in place. 

“As you think about what it is like to navigate the world, even in 2021 when we have made great strides, barriers still exist. In many cases professionally, a lot of folks who do well have a few things in common. First, they all have a champion, someone who will vouch for them and put their name and reputation on the line to support them. Number two, you need people to help open doors for you. I tell people that everyone who is successful is successful because someone took a chance on them. Be that person that someone wants to risk their reputation on.” 

She continued. “The other thing that’s important, that I understand comes from a point of economic privilege, is don’t be afraid to take chances. If it doesn’t work out, you just keep trying.” 

“Lastly, we always talk about women who are ambitious and successful and say that they are strong woman. Although, strength recognizes that sometimes you are weak and tired, and you need help. The ability to ask for help and admit that the myth of a strong woman wears you out, that’s okay. Don’t think that asking for help or admitting your weaknesses diminishes your strength. It actually makes you stronger.” 

Strickland is a big fan of OL Reign making Tacoma their home and is eager to see what the future holds for the team. 

“Having OL Reign play at Cheney Stadium is a very big deal and as the economy recovers, I look forward to assisting how I can in building a new stadium. I love that the South Puget Sound could be a capital for women’s sports, whether it is amateur or professional. OL Reign is the anchor example of how it can be done.” 

She also admires the presence that the team has off the field and their willingness to speak up about important issues. 

“When people are professional athletes, they have a platform that other people simply do not have. I know that there was a time where people were reticent to do that, but I really do think that athletes who are willing to speak out really do everyone a favor. They do the brand a favor and they do the organization a favor. You really have to admire people like Megan Rapinoe who are willing to take a knee because they support Black Lives Matter.” 

Strickland expressed her gratitude for this opportunity. 

“It is a deep honor to be recognized by this organization. Not just because they have chosen to play in Tacoma, but because of what they represent for women’s empowerment. They go out there and they do the work. The team itself is a reflection of the entire community, so it is a deep honor to do this right here in my own hometown at Cheney Stadium, a place where I grew up watching baseball and now, I have a chance to watch football.”