OREGON WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PIONEERS. From our iconic suffragette Abigail Scott Duniway to beloved mayor Vera Katz to multimedia superstar Carrie Brownstein, they are fearless adventurers, resilient and relentless in their pursuit of greatness. And right now, Oregon women are having a moment, taking an unprecedented share of the state’s political leadership, emerging as the most dynamic force in our fast-growing economy, and doing their part to set the whole nation’s cultural agenda. So it’s a great time to take a hard look at the past, present, and future of Oregon women: the trailblazers who led the charge, the challenges that lie ahead, and the inspiring individuals bucking convention and transforming our state right now. These 10 amazing women are breaking barriers, kicking ass, and inspiring us all. Alis volat propriis.

In This Feature:

Carrie Brownstein: The New Icon of Oregon Feminism

From punk rock to Portlandia to her forthcoming memoir, one of Oregon's biggest superstars opens up about what (and who) inspires her. PLUS: A behind-the-scenes video of our cover shoot.

02/05/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

Writer and Private Investigator Rene Denfeld on Portland Sexism

"The women are going to raise the kids and the chickens, and the guys are going to drink beer, look like lumberjacks, and throw darts."

02/05/2015 By Zach Dundas

Marcela Alcantar's Incredible Journey

Marcela Alcantar, president of Alcantar & Associates, on her roots in Mexico, her love of dirt, and launching the Diversified Builders and Engineers Council

03/02/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

How Kendall Clawson Doubled the Number of Women Running Oregon

The Office of the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff has fought for the LGBTQ community, supported people diagnosed with AIDS, and radically changed the face of the state's policy boards. And she's not done yet.

03/02/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

One Oregon Woman is Transforming the Architecture Industry

Designer Kathy Shaloo Berg is a leadership role model—and the lone woman at the top tier at ZGF Architects' Portland hub

03/02/2015 By Randy Gragg

Portland’s Pioneer of Natural Hair Care Fought the Law (and Won)

Amber Starks of Conscious Coils saw a flaw in the licensing laws for natural hair care and decided to do something about it.

03/02/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

Three Women Transforming Ranching in Eastern Oregon

Cory Carman, Jill McClaran, and Carrie Hermens are on the top of Oregon's meat game.

03/02/2015 By Kelly Clarke

Arlene Schnitzer, Patron Saint of Portland Arts, Speaks!

From philanthropy to feminism, the life of Portland's reigning cultural patron is a saga of art, business, and telling it like it is.

03/02/2015 By Zach Dundas

Portland’s First Female Head Brewer Talks Fermentation, Culinary School, and Anheuser-Busch

10 Barrel Brewing's Whitney Burnside has climbed to beer ladder from Laurelwood to Upright to Elysian to Pelican. Now, she talks about her biggest challenge yet.

03/02/2015 By Marty Patail

How Strategist Rebecca Tweed Transformed Oregon Politics

The political consultant behind more than 40 Oregon campaigns goes beyond party lines to elect the best person for the job.

03/02/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

The Startling Truth About Pay Inequality in Oregon

Did you know that women in Oregon earn 79¢ for every dollar a man earns? We offer an annotated guide to the shocking numbers behind our state's wage gap.

02/02/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

Why Oregon is the Only State that Doesn’t Limit Legal Access to Abortion

No waiting periods, no mandated parental involvement, and no limitations on publicly funded abortions? This is how we got here.

03/02/2015 By Kelly Clarke

An Open Letter to the Women of Oregon, from Governor Barbara Roberts

Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts (1991–1995) on the hardship, endurance, bravery, and strength required to make a difference.

02/02/2015 By Barbara Roberts

A Feminist History of Oregon, from Abigail Scott Duniway to 'Bitch'

Oregon's legacy is rooted in women shipyard workers, suffragettes, sci-fi authors, legal abortion, and kick-ass senators. Get inspired!

03/02/2015 By Marty Patail

Why Every Successful Business Needs Women

Only 7 percent of venture capital is invested in management teams that include women. Here's why that needs to change.

02/02/2015 By Zach Dundas

The Ugly Truth About Sexism and Business in Portland

Portland Monthly's president and cofounder reveals the shocking lack of respect shown to ambitious women raising capital in this town.

03/02/2015 By Nicole Vogel