‘This is a place where we need to be’: An Interview with Lizzie Fletcher

By Isobel Perez & Claire Morton (Girl Up Bellaire)

In November of 2020, U.S. Rep. and Houston native Lizzie Fletcher won reelection in a west Houston district that had been a Republican stronghold for over 50 years. In light of her dedication to leadership, the Bellaire chapter of Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation aiming to empower girls, wanted to ask her about her inspiring experience. How did she get where she is today? What is it like to be a congresswoman? What does the future look like for her and other women in politics?

We began by talking about Rep. Fletcher’s journey from being active in her community to holding a public office:

“Sometimes when I would see my elected officials, just at various stages of their careers or success, you think, Oh, you’ve got to have this sort of long plan to get there. And for me, this is really much more a testament to the fact that our government and our democracy is all about us. And that it’s for all of us to take care of and participate in.”

The Congresswoman stressed that anyone can participate in government — an idea America has been increasingly made aware of over the course of the past few years by the influence of young people, people of color, and women on politics from positions of power.

Rep. Fletcher began her career in public service working for the local Houston nonprofit Alley Theatre, joining the board of Writers in the Schools (WITS), and volunteering at Planned Parenthood: “[I] was always active, engaged in political issues and policy issues. But I didn’t see that as my career path at all.” Then she became a lawyer and “got to represent people from all across our community, all different walks of life.”

What finally inspired her to run for Congress were conversations with other women who were involved in Texas politics about how she could help better represent Houston’s values in government after the 2016 election.

“I was talking to this particular woman about running office… she said, ‘Oh, you should do this!’ and I said, ‘Well, I’m not sure I’m qualified. I’ve never run for office before and I haven’t been elected for anything before…”

Despite her impressive resume and her involvement with community organizations, Rep. Fletcher explained the doubt she felt about her ability to run for office; however, following this discussion, she said that she learned an important lesson:

“These are absolutely our options, and these are absolutely our choices, and this is a place not only where we can be, but where we need to be; because it’s true that when women are in the room, they can change the conversation.”

With representation in politics comes the opportunity for positive change, as the Congresswoman discussed: “There’s a lot more talk about families, there’s a lot more talk about equity… but not just talk. [There’s] action! There’s legislation!”

For example, the Congresswoman brought up the passage of the Violence Against Women Act which sought to improve the legal and community response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. Rep. Fletcher also discussed the Congressional emphasis on equal pay for equal work and paid family leave, and how women have been involved with this conversation, even if they don’t always agree on everything being said.

“When women are present, we’re talking about all kinds of things, and we work so well together, and so collaboratively; doesn’t mean we agree on everything, doesn’t mean we see everything the exact same way. But I do think that we have seen… a change of emphasis and focus that is really important.”

With more and more women being present in politics and running for office, we see more legislation being enacted which takes women’s needs into consideration. Because of this, it’s important for this to continue and for women to be involved in more discussions.

“We need women engaged in every area, every aspect of our society, and I think our society will be the better for it.”

Rep. Fletcher stated that the most important change that needs to happen for more women to get involved in politics is on an individual scale: women and girls need to see women in politics, and individual women need to “know that they can and they should run.” And this starts with direct conversations with women leaders, like the one we had.

The Congresswoman ended our interview with hopes that we will continue to be involved and to use our voices to speak about what’s important to us:

“I hope to see all your names on my ballot when I’m voting in 10 to 15 years. I hope to see you engaging and recognizing the power that you have to make this world what it can be.”