News & City Life

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: Bookshelf

10 Best New Books by Oregon Women

From dystopian fiction to poetry inspired by Frank Ocean, add these volumes to your shelf.

04/24/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson and Fiona McCann

The Oregon Woman: Playlist

11 Best New Songs by Oregon Women

Raspy rock, dance pop, and motormouth hip-hop fuel this must-blast playlist.

04/24/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

The Oregon Woman: No Shelter

In Rural Oregon, Victims of Domestic Violence Face Huge Barriers

A dispatch from Cave Junction.

04/24/2018 By Gosia Wozniacka

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.

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 Tuck Woodstock

Take Action

Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon Puts Food Insecurity on the State Agenda

The nonprofit makes changes on the ground and in the legislature.

04/24/2018 By Fiona McCann

Hunger in Oregon

Can We Solve Oregon’s Hunger Crisis with Big-Picture Boldness?

In a state that suffers one of the nation's highest rates of food insecurity, what could we do better?

04/24/2018 By Marty Patail

Development

The Massive Post Office Makeover Will Transform Northwest Portland

The project will reshape a whole neighborhood off the Broadway Bridge. It will, admittedly, take a while.

04/24/2018 By Zach Dundas

School Crush

A Pinot Power Couple Donates $6 Million to Linfield College

The gift creates the world’s first interdisciplinary wine studies major.

04/24/2018 By Ramona DeNies

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

Sexing the Flower

How the Portland Rose Festival Found Its New Bloom

When two flowers love each other very much…

04/24/2018 By Sarah Hutchins

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

Sports

The Lefty Punks of German Soccer Come to Portland

On May 22, FC St. Pauli squares off against the Timbers' reserve squad.

04/24/2018 By Marty Patail