Women in Political Leadership: Interview with Representative Debra Entenman
Being a Black Woman in Public Office
Q: What is it like being a woman in public office? What are some strengths and challenges you experience that might be unique for women in policymaking spaces?
A: Running as a Black woman is very different from running as a white woman. I’m not here to uphold systems that were never designed with me in mind—I’m here to change them. I want to be honest about the foundational shifts we need to make in public policy.
Many white women enter politics because they can afford to be part-time legislators or focus on passion projects. For many Black women, including myself, the sacrifices are significant. I took a pay cut, my family income dropped, and my retirement savings decreased when I left my federal government job to serve.
Even small things are scrutinized—my appearance, my tone, my hair. I’ve been told not to change my hairstyle so people “recognize” me, but I refuse to conform to expectations rooted in bias.
The most challenging part is battling low expectations. Some assume women only care about issues like education or childcare. I’ve had to push back and say, “Let’s learn together.” Women, and particularly women of color, are fully capable of shaping complex policy conversations—finance, infrastructure, justice, and beyond.
The Pressing Issues Facing Our Region
Q: From your perspective, what are the most pressing issues to our region?
A: COVID revealed what truly matters—safe housing, healthy food, community, and purpose. People need to feel they contribute to society, whether through paid work, volunteering, or simply being recognized for their humanity.
Our society often measures value by productivity and income, which leaves out seniors, caregivers, and others who don’t fit that mold. We need to provide fundamental protections for shelter, food, healthcare, and education—basic human rights that everyone deserves.
Much of the unrest in our country stems from insecurity in these areas. Life is better when people don’t have to worry about meeting their basic needs. A stable foundation allows everyone to participate meaningfully in their communities.
Policy Solutions and Areas of Passion
Q: What are some policy solutions that you’re particularly passionate about?
A: I care deeply about supporting families and reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). We must stop treating poverty as a moral failure. Fraud prevention measures often harm the very families they’re meant to help.
We need to redesign these systems to see people’s humanity first. TANF shouldn’t just be “temporary.” Children need stability—and that doesn’t end when they start school.
We also need to look at equity in how we support men. Why should a single father receive fewer benefits than a single mother? Assistance should be based on need, not gender.
The real question is: Are we helping people rise out of poverty, or punishing them for being poor? COVID taught us that job loss doesn’t diminish a person’s worth. We must build a safety net that reflects that truth.
Curiosity and Policymaking
Q: How does curiosity aid the policymaking and decision-making process?
A: Curiosity is essential to good policymaking. When I look at a problem, I always ask: Has someone tried to solve this before? What were the obstacles? What were the unintended consequences?
Curiosity means examining systems deeply and asking not just what happened—but why. Congressman Smith once told me, “Sometimes your job as a legislator is to prevent harmful policy.” That stuck with me.
I apply that mindset to all my work, including police reform. Many people assume reform means abolishing the police. That’s not what I want. I want policing to be more effective and less harmful. Every person should be able to survive an encounter with law enforcement.
We must question the foundations of policing itself—how it evolved from controlling enslaved people—and confront the biases that shape outcomes. Data shows that while poor white people sometimes face police violence, Black and brown people experience it regardless of income.
For me, curiosity drives reform. It means asking uncomfortable questions: Why did this happen? What could have prevented it? What are we protecting—and who are we protecting it for?
I don’t dislike the police. I want policing to be fair, transparent, and accountable for everyone.
Continue reading our Women in Political Leadership Series:
- Senator Yasmin Trudeau
- Redmond Mayor Angela Birney
- Seattle Deputy Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi
- Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
- Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn
Interested in learning more from women in leadership? Check out our Leadership Book List, where we have compiled 350+ books written by women in leadership.
