MEETING MARGARET You don’t really know politics until you’ve met a politician. Margaret Abe-Koga defies all stereotypes, predispositions, and assumptions. Just try and stop her. BY R AY U Y E DA Margaret Abe-Koga never stops smiling, and to her credit, she has a great smile. One of those smiles that epitomizes the expression “from ear to ear.” Margaret Abe-Koga is wearing peep-toe 1-inch red leather flats that show off her blue sparkly painted toes and a polka dotted delicate blouse that pairs perfectly with her well-tailored slacks that make her look like she stepped out of a Target ad. Margaret Abe-Koga is second-generation full Japanese and is not your typical politician. wIn her time Margaret has served on numerous committees, commissions, and boards for the City of Mountain View and for the County of Santa Clara. She is a mom, a campaign manager, a leader, and a mentor. She is a woman of color and a Harvard graduate. Throughout her life she’s experienced instances of loss, discrimination, triumph and praise. Throughout the process of getting to know Margaret,
it became clear that this was a woman unlike any other. A woman dedicated to knowing the members of the community whom she strives to represent. Her political career began just like any other aspiring public servant’s: in Elementary school. It also started like many others, with a loss. “My first race was in the 3rd grade. I ran for
class treasurer against my best friend at the time. She won, but I kept trying.” However, the similarities with most of the country’s politicians end there. Many of the sound bytes these days consist of political gaffes, accidental slip-ups demeaning one person or another, or what would seem like an attitude of complete unaware1
ness of the public and their needs. But Margaret could not be more attuned.
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s a child growing up with parents whose first language was Japanese, not English, Abe-Koga found herself playing many roles--translator, student, daughter, and go-between-all necessitated at the young age of 7. “It was hard as a 7 year old and have to deal with bills. I saw a lot of discrimination and injustice,” Abe-Koga reflected. Now though, the lessons instilled by her father at a young age fuel her desire for public service, “My dad was really involved in the community, both my parents were immigrants and they were limited in English. He had political aspirations when he lived in Japan. He wasn’t home a lot of evenings because he would be at meetings. I just watched that and that was kind of what I thought we were all supposed to do.” If I walked away from my first interview with Margaret with one impression it would be that she cares, a lot. And because of her hectic schedule, one can deduce that she’s also good at micro-managing her time. She possesses a sense of duty and responsibility to her community that immediately begs the question why all civil servants can’t be like her. She’s refreshingly modest and unembellished; she actually is the nextdoor neighbor to residents of Mountain View. Margaret reflected, “A lot of long time residents like the fact that we’re 75,000 (people) we have the issues of a big city, but if you walk down Castro St. you still see people you know.” One can draw parallels between the benefits of Mountain View and the mindset of Margaret. That is to say, the size of a big city balanced with the mindset of a small town. Respectively, Margaret is Harvard educated, but thinks on the level of how her actions can benefit everyday community members. “I look at my job…
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as trying to make change as palatable for people as we can. The importance of being involved and speaking up and equal treatment was what I grew up believing was what we should all have.” Fellow council member and friend, Chris Clark, says that he admires Margaret’s ability to think in the “longterm.” Clark, just as soft-spoken and articulate, noted that his relationship with Margaret began back in 2008 after he graduated from Stanford University, moved to Mountain View, and decided to run for council. His first race proved similar in nature to Margaret’s. He noted that after his loss she encouraged him to “Pick [himself] back up and stay involved.” Now, five years later, Chris has afforded himself the opportunity for reflection as he sits comfortable in the chair of Vice Mayor. “It all worked out, I’ll never be able to repay that debt of gratitude I owe her. What you learn not just about the community, but about the process [is what’s important.] And what you learn about yourself.” The second time I meet up with Margaret, it’s really about talking to her two daughters. Aili and Aina, in Middle and Elementary schools re-
spectively, offer a genuine sense of maturity and curiosity that acts somewhat of a reprieve from the increasingly academically intense yet acquisitive culture this age has engendered. “I think [city council] can affect the schools a lot. Sometimes I see graffiti on the walls…sometimes I think if we just cleaned up the schools…” Aili trails off in her statement, but the sentiment is there. She continues to talk about what she loves about her mom, the wonder woman who dons the red peep-toe shoes, “She’s really strong and she fights for what she thinks is right and I really respect that.” The support of her children, husband and colleagues allows Margaret to balance what would be for any other person a busy schedule. “She always makes time to [mentor] with her insane schedule,” said Chris of her willingness to help others. Still, Margaret struggles with the every day responsibilities of what it means to be a mom first, and not a politician, “My husband and I talked a lot about it. I didn’t wanna work full time, I wanted to be with the girls. There is a lot of juggling that goes on.” Despite a demanding schedule, the
benefits of being involved far outweigh the possible costs. Margaret speaks of her daughters, Aili and Aina as she reflects, “They learned that they can make a difference. It’s great that [they] can learn all this when [they’re] young and understand the relevance. At least they know that they have responsibility in maintaining the community the way they want it.” Her grounded perspective, an entity that seems ironically evolved for such a progressive time, is not something that goes unnoticed as well, “Her ability to offer a unique perspective…her background (helps). She understands that that’s not the perspective everyone on council will have. She’s usually right. She doesn’t come at things from an entrenched position.” In some ways it sounds too good to be true: a balanced, well-rounded, politician who has good experience and an open mind. In other ways though, this is what we should expect from all leaders—not perfection, but honesty and a goal to serve. Chris says it best: “What’s really great about her is that her legacy lives on beyond her time.” Of course, the red peep-toes are optional.
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