I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Gov. Olene Walker last Saturday. It caused me to reflect on her life. I believe she taught the rest of us some critical lessons we should not forget.
One lesson was the value of courage. In a culture that does not always value the contribution of women, I was amazed at her effort to reach her God-given potential rather than be defined by certain cultural roles assigned to her. I saw a glimpse of what she probably went through as a woman in Utah politics during a small meeting with her and several others, all male. I noticed that when she spoke, the other males in the room frequently interrupted her. People who should have treated her ideas with respect, particularly as a former governor, instead talked over her. That was probably not new for her.
She also showed courage in the decisions she made. When the Legislature would not pass a preschool program she felt was important for Utah’s children, she did not simply go along with legislators. Instead, she threatened to veto the budget unless that program was included. That veto threat motivated legislators to fund the program. I wish our current governor had the courage to stand up to the Legislature like that. But Olene Walker was willing to do that.
Moreover, she strongly opposed the Republican pet issue of vouchers. She vetoed a bill that would have instituted vouchers in a limited form. It was a foot in the door by voucher proponents that they hoped eventually would lead to a full voucher program. But Gov. Walker felt vouchers would hurt public education by diverting much-needed funds to a small handful of private school students. Republican pro-voucher advocates, including many Republican legislators and delegates, were livid with her. Nevertheless, she stood her ground.
Another courageous act was her decision not to campaign for her own full term as governor until after the 2004 legislative session. She related later that she wanted to show she could be an effective governor, instead of concentrating on a political campaign. She accomplished her goal, even though it cost her politically.
It is still a dark stain on the Utah Republican Party to reject a sitting governor with over 70 percent public approval. The effects were disastrous. A Walker full term would have meant no costly voucher campaign in 2007 and no calamitous tax cut in 2006 (which was unconnected to Walker’s own tax reform proposal). The latter cost public education hundreds of millions of dollars. Moreover, Gov. Walker would not have allowed funds to be diverted from public education towards more roads, as Go. Herbert, along with Republican legislators, has done.
Another lesson we should remember is her willingness to look past party labels. She worked with whomever she could, regardless of party affiliation. She identified as a Republican, but that did not stop her from finding common ground with Democrats on many issues. It was no coincidence that the Utah County Democratic Party gave her its distinguished service award. (Full disclosure: I instigated that offer to her.) I believe she took great pleasure in that act of the opposing party honoring her. It summed up her approach to politics.
Still another lesson was her life-long commitment to the betterment of the community around her. When I approached her several years ago to inquire about whether she might be interested in serving as co-chair of the newly created Utah Debate Commission, she was immediately enthusiastic about the idea. She took to the role with great passion. She saw this as one more opportunity to improve political discourse and stimulate greater participation in Utah.
Working with her on the Utah Debate Commission board, I was able to experience her indomitable optimism. There was no problem without a solution, no obstacle that could not be overcome. She was a remarkable example of persistence in the face of adversity.
Olene Walker will be missed, but she left some important lessons for us. And, hopefully, there is a young Utah girl right now hearing about Olene Walker’s life and thinking: “I can do that.”
Richard Davis is a professor of political science at Brigham Young University. He is the author of "The Liberal Soul: Applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Politics." His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of BYU.