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Debra “Deb” Halaand, a Democrat from New Mexico and Meghan Cox, an international public affairs agent, both spent time growing up in Winslow, which helped to shape their careers today. Halaand is one of two women who were the first Native American women to be elected to Congress. Cox also has a political career with work in managing congressional and presidential campaigns.
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Halaand’s grandparents were part of the Laguna Pueblo tribe that the U.S. government relocated and found themselves in Winslow in the early part of the 1900’s.
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“My grandparents lived in the Laguna Village in Winslow and worked for the Sante Fe Railroad there. I lived in Winslow as a child, but my father was a Marine, so we moved around a lot. However, anytime we could, we visited Winslow. There is a lot to offer in that town and I enjoy watching the growth from afar,” stated Haaland.
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Halaand defeated Republican candidate Janice Arnold-Jones for her congressional seat in New Mexico. Her win made her one of two Native women in Congress in American history. “I am so proud to represent Native voices on the national level,” she said. “I began my political career as a grass roots volunteer for Obama’s first term and it was there I realized that it was something I was interested in that I could do to make a difference.”
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Her plans in Congress are to continue to the civic works she has already been doing in her community of Albuquerque. “I think it is important that we work on sustainable energy, make sure that we secure a free, quality public education for all and guarantee health care for everyone.”
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Halaand, along with the rest of the 116th Congress of the United States will be sworn in in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 3. “I know that my grandparents would be proud of this moment. In fact, my aunt, who played in the Sante Fe Indian Band, told me that she played Eisenhower’s inauguration and is so excited to go back to Washington to witness my swearing in. It is all very exciting, and I plan to work very hard. I am looking forward to showing Native peoples that we are here and we have a voice.”
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Deb Halaand is not the only woman with ties to Winslow that has made a name for herself in politics. Winslow High School graduate Meghan Cox, the co-founder of Lincoln Strategy Group is another one.
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Cox attended Arizona State University and finished with a degree in political science with an emphasis on civic education, economics and international relations. She has used that education to build Lincoln Strategy Group into a leader in international public affairs.
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“I started my career working for Senator (John) McCain on his presidential run in 2000. I worked on both the campaign and his U.S. Senate staff,” said Cox. She has also has had a hand in ballot initiatives in all 50 states, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. From her profile on the Lincoln Strategy Group website, it’s noted that Cox “oversees the firm’s large-scale national grassroots campaigns for both political, trade association and corporate clients that require intense logistical planning and management.”
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On being from Winslow, Cox said, “I appreciate growing up in Winslow as an excellent foundation on being truly connected to a community. Winslow has many of the same issues in terms of healthcare, poverty and education, which one would expect to find in an inner city. I view my role now as having a responsibility to continue to shine a light on rural issues.”
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The Phoenix Business Journal Cox was recently named as one of the Outstanding Women in Business and she was also named one of the top 40 political consultants under the age of 40 by the American Association of Political Consultants in 2016.
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She continues to encourage women in Winslow and said, “Anyone who has a desire to make a change should not be afraid to use their voice. Work to get a good education, celebrate the achievements of your peers and try to leave your community in a better place than where you found it.”
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