The Oregon Woman: 2018

These Extraordinary Oregon Women Are Transforming Our State (and World)

From a guitar-wielding 26-year-old to a veteran of 1970s underground feminism, Oregon’s most compelling forces are female.

04/24/2018 Edited by Rebecca Jacobson Photography by NASHCO PHOTO

The Oregon Woman: She's Running

Women Are Running for Office in Record Numbers in 2018

Meet four Oregon women stepping into the arena for the first time.

04/24/2018 By Eden Dawn

The Oregon Woman: Into the Arena

Portlander Ana del Rocío Shakes Up the Civic Scene

From serving on the David Douglas school board to spearheading statewide efforts to elect more progressive candidates of color, the 31-year-old works for change.

04/24/2018 By Emilly Prado

The Oregon Woman: Changing the Game

How Brenda Tracy Combats Rape Culture in College Sports

After enduring a violent sexual assault 20 years ago, the Portlander now travels the country, speaking to athletes and advocating for change.

04/24/2018 By Jason Cohen

The Oregon Woman: Shredding the Patriarchy

Fabi Reyna Is Changing the Guitar Industry with She Shreds

Portland is home to the world’s only print magazine devoted to women guitarists and bassists. But it’s only the first step in its founder’s plan to destroy bro-rock culture.

04/24/2018 By Kelly Clarke

The Oregon Woman: Into Their Own Hands

Meet Judith Arcana, a Pioneer of '70s-Era Underground Abortion Work

Before Roe v. Wade, a group called Jane served Chicago women. Arcana, now a writer living in Portland, was part of that clandestine network.

04/24/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

The Oregon Woman: The Chief

Danielle Outlaw Is the First Black Woman to Lead the Portland Police

The 41-year-old talks racial tensions, raising two sons, and doughnuts.

04/24/2018 By Fiona McCann

Style

Hair and Makeup Maven, Renegade Artist … and Sea Captain?

Get to know Portlander Randi Whipple before she ships out.

04/24/2018 By Eden Dawn

Strategies

How to Break the Gender Binary

Nonbinary journalist and Gender Reveal host Molly Woodstock shares tips for gender inclusivity.

04/24/2018 By Molly Woodstock

History

70 Years after Vanport, a Survivor Recalls the Flood

The deluge that destroyed Oregon’s second-largest city still resonates in Portland.

04/24/2018 By Fiona McCann

Business

What Will It Take to Get More Women in Construction?

Only 7 percent of construction workers in our state are women. Oregon Tradeswomen founder Connie Ashbrook wants to up that number.

04/24/2018 By Lily Raff McCaulou

Beardly Beauty

Behold the Most Fabulously Decorated Beards in the World

From glitter to googly eyes, this Portland duo turns facial hair into a work of art.

04/12/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

Pour

Jesus Guillén Once Salvaged Cast-Off Grapes. Now He's Got His Own Winery.

And he's one of the few Mexican Americans to serve as head winemaker at a major label.

03/27/2018 By Emily Gillespie

Long Story Short

Republican Senator Jackie Winters Has Spent Decades Shaping Oregon

The Senate minority leader—and our state's longest serving black senator—talks conservatives, food banks, and barbecue.

03/27/2018 By Fiona McCann

Strategies

Portland Drag Queen Poison Waters on How to Look Fabulous All the Time

Hint: sequins.

03/27/2018 By Kevin Cook

Long Story Short

At Tender Table, Women and Nonbinary People of Color Share Stories of Food and Family

"I felt the need to bring people together around food and stories about food," says poet and founder Stacey Tran.

02/27/2018 By Kelly Clarke

Global Comfort Food

We Asked 20 Portland Chefs and Foodies: What Tastes Like Home?

From hearty Haitian soups to pupusas, here's what makes these locals feel safe and loved—and where to score these touchstone eats.

02/27/2018 Edited by Kelly Clarke By Karen Brooks, Ramona DeNies, Zach Dundas, Rebecca Jacobson, Pechluck Laskey, Fiona McCann, Benjamin Tepler, and Molly Woodstock

Media

Meet the New Executive Director of Street Roots

Kaia Sand looks to the future of Portland's nonprofit street weekly.

02/27/2018 By Jason Cohen

Cannabis: The Advocate

How Aminah Leary Advocates for Equity in Cannabis

The native Portlander wants to see more black people in the industry. (She also makes some mean edibles.)

01/30/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

In Memoriam

Oregonians Pay Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin

The Portland literary legend, renowned for her science fiction and fantasy, died this week at 88.

01/24/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson