Rebecca Stavenjord (she/her/hers)

Creative Problem Solving

I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, my family lived off-grid in the remote wilderness of Alaska. We homesteaded without electricity or running water, we ran a dog team and a trapline. I learned very early to be resourceful and creative in problem solving, things that have been helpful in many areas of my life. I can throw an ax and start a fire with flint and steel, things that as a Girl Scout leader still come in handy!

It’s that resilience that I bring to my work in local public service as we have faced wildfires, recessions, a national call for social justice, and a global pandemic. I have nearly 25 years of local government experience working in departments, leading programs, and collaboration with regional elected officials. I am passionate about thinking outside the box, engaging the strengths of those around me, and finding creative solutions to complex problems.

Finding My Fight

I remember the first time I paid attention to an election was the Mondale-Ferraro campaign in 1984. My mom gave me a button (which I still have) that had Geraldine Ferraro on it and I remember realizing that it was possible for women to occupy the highest offices in the nation. That next year, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win Alaska’s Iditarod sled dog race. I named my dog Libby Twinkle Star and began a lifetime of adventures and challenges.

I was the first person in my family to go to college where I played ice hockey for my university’s first women’s team. I graduated with a double undergraduate degree and went on to earn a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning with concentration in community development and place based revitalization. I have always been committed to community involvement, volunteering with youth and service organizations. I believe that with hard work, good relationships, and creativity, we can accomplish nearly anything.

The Power of Relationships

More than 20 years ago I started working in Clackamas County. I worked with every city and school district in the county, many community partners providing social services, and grassroots community coalitions. Over the years, I have been fortunate to build experience across many disciplines: crime prevention, youth development, mental health, housing, prevention programs, community mobilization, education policy, health, growth planning, economic development, land use, transportation, and budget development. Along with those areas of expertise come deep connections and relationships.

I am honored to bring my experience to the Milwaukie City Council as we address the future growth of our city. For over three decades, I have been deeply involved in my community, working with youth and service organizations, coaching, serving as my neighborhood chair, vice chair, land use chair, education liaison, and events coordinator. My family hosts community events in the Lewelling neighborhood at our Three Stinky Goats Urban Farm which is dedicated to making connections and smiles. You may have seen our Halloween decorations, Winter Light Festival displays, PorchFest concerts, or just stopped by to visit the goats and pick up a book from the free library.

Representation is Important

Accessibility in government means being able to see a path for your involvement or the services you need. It means seeing people who have shared life experiences and even seeing yourself as a part of the change and future of your community. I’ve been the only woman in a hockey locker room and the youngest in executive decision making roles. I have also worked very hard as a public official, coach, scout leader, neighborhood volunteer, and inclusive manager to make sure we create and reinvent space that is welcoming to those who don’t always feel those places are built for them.

During the COVID19 pandemic, women have seen huge impacts to their careers, health, and families. These are disproportionate impacts that may take generations to recover from. My family has also been impacted by the pandemic and as we begin to determine what a new normal looks like, I am dedicated to serve my community in a deeper way and I am excited to explore the next chapter of our story here in Milwaukie.