Environmental Advocate, Journalist, Climate Change Warrior, Austin, Texas, USA
The area around the juncture of Barton Creek and the Colorado River in Austin, USA comprises of over 350 acres of publicly owned land. It is named after its benefactor, Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the city in 1917. Inside this park lies one of the crown jewels of Austin - Barton Springs Pool. “The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming (even in the dead of winter). Over the years, Barton Springs Pool has drawn people from all walks of life, from legislators who have concocted state laws there to free-spirited, topless sunbathers who turned heads in the 1970s. Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool when he was five years old while visiting family in Austin. Today, Barton Springs still attracts a diverse crowd of people and has seen record setting numbers of visitors nearing 800,000 in recent years.” - Austintexas.org
When it comes to protecting this magical piece of land, one of the advocates to thank is Ms. Brigid Shea. She has played an instrumental role in preserving and ringing the alarm regarding securement and tightening of the laws around the maintenance of the natural state of this land. This was accomplished at the time when climate change wasn’t necessarily a sexy topic nor was it on the forefront of everyone’s political agendas. It was thrilling to hear Ms. Shea tell the wild tales of the 80’s and 90’s environmental battles. One cannot help but admire Brigid’s chutzpah, her struggle to “stick it to the man” while brushing off threats and consistent harassment of the climate change deniers.
1. Name.
Brigid Shea.
2. Where is your hometown?
Minot, North Dakota, USA.
3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?
I consider myself an environmental advocate. My career has included being an award-winning journalist with the national public radio stations in Minnesota and Philadelphia, a national press secretary, a carbon reduction consultant, a small business owner, an Austin City Council Member, currently a two-term Travis County Commissioner, and current US board chair of ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, the oldest International NGO of local governments addressing climate change.
In my current work as a County Commissioner my average day is filled with meetings related to my responsibilities. I’m also very active on the national and international level working to identify ways to better prepare people for the coming climate chaos.
4. What did you study in school?
My major was Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Government and German. But I was very interested in journalism and was the editor of the college newspaper. I also worked at the local commercial radio station.
5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?
My journey has definitely not been a straight path. I would say it’s been full of obstacles, stubborn determination, and self discovery. I frequently asked myself “what should I be doing, how can I make the best use of my abilities?“ I believe some of that world view was a result of my Catholic education and the lessons from my parents who believed that we had an obligation to serve our community.
I am proud of winning a competitive Rockefeller Foundation scholarship for a six-month sabbatical Program in Religious Studies for Journalists; The documentary I produced from it, on the Catholic Bishops’ encyclical on the immorality of nuclear weapons, won a national radio award. But in order to qualify for the Fellowship, I had to complete my college degree which I had left unfinished for the previous five years. This included tracking down a professor who had moved to a completely different college.
I’m also proud of convincing the dean of Yale Divinity school to hire me as a consultant on the electronic church and create a Fellowship position for me that allowed me to live and study at the Divinity school for a year. But this path also included my painful choice to break up with my Divinity school fiancé with no idea what I would do next in my life.
I’m proud of having attended three UN Climate Summits, including the first one ever in Berlin. I’m also proud to have witnessed the historic SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) treaty between Reagan and Gorbachev in Moscow as the national press secretary for the SANE/Freeze peace organization.
A big breakthrough that set me on my current path in Austin was the result of a scientist’s testimony to Congress in the summer of 1988. It was Dr. James Hansen, head of the Goddard space institute at NASA, who warned Congress of a coming global climate catastrophe if greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels weren’t reduced dramatically. It was a great epiphany for me. I realized I had to drop what I was doing and dedicate myself to working on this issue or I could measure my coffin and get in. The world would no longer be livable if people of goodwill didn’t do everything they could to stop this. So I quit my job as a national press secretary in Washington DC and moved to Austin, Texas to start the statewide chapter of Clean Water Action and dedicate myself to stopping devastating climate change.
But the thing I am proudest of was having the privilege to lead the citizens initiative to pass the Save Our Springs, SOS law, to protect Barton Springs in 1992. It is Austin‘s great David and Goliath story. The every-day people of Austin defeated the company that owned the worlds largest gold mine, after a fierce, year long campaign. It is the reason we can still swim in Barton Spring’s clear, natural waters today and it is a true gift to the community.
I had to overcome paralyzing fear in order to lead the effort. I was able to do that thanks to my dear, late friend Cindy Brown. The wisdom I gained from the training program she introduced me to, called Landmark Education, enabled me to overcome my fears and eventually get elected to the Austin City Council, have a successful marriage to my great partner, John Umphress and become a parent to two amazing kids, all while getting elected twice to the Travis County Commissioners Court. A profound breakthrough happened as a result of the Landmark Education training - I was able to forgive the people who had waged vicious, personal attacks against me because of the SOS campaign. I felt I had “stopped taking poison hoping they would die.“ It was incredibly liberating and healing, and transformed my relationships with people I had previously regarded as my enemies.
6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?
When I was very young I had fantasies about being a spy. At 20 I wanted to be a foreign correspondent. I think in both cases I wanted to make the world a better place and I feel like I am doing that.
7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?
In most cases, when I’ve been knocked down in my life, I’ve had to ask for help. That’s been very hard, as I was forced to admit that I was vulnerable and needed other people. Fortunately there were good people I could reach out to.
The biggest blow that shaped me happened when I was 12. My father died suddenly. This loss was so devastating I think I decided to never need other people so I wouldn’t be hurt. As a result, having to ask for help has been a powerful lesson over the course of my life.
8. Advice for other women?
Ask when you need help. There is no shame in that. Follow your heart and your conscience and do what you think needs to be done in the world.
9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be “all that we can be” in today’s world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for “feminist values”?
I believe women can be all that they dream of. In most cases, our fears and self-doubt hold us back the most. So stretch, take on some thing you fear you can’t do, and ask for help.
10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?
Floating in hot and cool springs. I also love creating things with beauty and whimsy in mind. I pride myself on making warm, inviting experiences for people. That can be through food, finding or creating a perfect gift, or designing an enjoyable space in which to visit.
11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?
Dancing with the Austin Samba Society. It was thrilling, exhilarating, beautiful and gobs of fun!
12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?
Someone who helps people be prepared for the challenges and devastation of climate change. I also want to hold accountable those entities responsible for it and help create a just and an equitable future.
13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?
The unstoppable march of time and disease, and the effect they have on our human bodies.
14. Anything you’d do differently, if you had another go at life?
Stay more fit, and support my children to be more diligent and fulfilled.
15. What inspires you?
Committed people who are making a difference in the world. A well written, well told story. Great investigative journalism. Those who fight for justice.
16. What are you hopeful about?
The vision, creativity and determination of the next generation.
17. What are some ingredients to a good life?
Joy, honesty, passion, love and action.
18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?
I think one of my superpowers is dogged determination. Another is problem-solving.
I love my sense of humor. It entertains me, it breaks the ice, and I think it brings joy to others. I love my creativity, it is a source of joy and pleasure in unexpected places. I love my humanity-it is what makes me cry when I hear exquisite music, read a powerful story or see something touching. It also moves me to action.
19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?
Don’t feel like you have to be so brave. It is OK to let other people know you are in agony over the loss of your dad. It is part of the life’s path to ask for help and receive it.
20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)
The Big Short, Empire of the Summer Moon, The Looming Tower, Drawdown, The Song of the Dodo, Silent Spring, The Resilience Dividend; lots of magazine and newspaper articles.
21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?
Barbara Rush, my chief of staff and one of my best friends. Barbara, you are remarkable. You give yourself powerfully to those in need. I want you to also give yourself all the love you show to others; and dream of your next powerful contribution.
Janis Bookout friend and collaborator on environmental work. Janis, the profound work that you have done on diversity and undoing racism and work toward a more equal and perfect union is remarkable. I am in awe of all you transform around you.
Joi Chevalier, a recent friend and a food entrepreneur. Joi you have transformed our community. When the 2020 pandemic hit you swung into action and took the food that would have otherwise gone to waste in restaurant refrigerators to prepare hot meals for those who were hungry. You are a blessing.
Latreese Cooke, a friend and an advocate for families of the incarcerated. Latreese, I don’t know how you keep going in the face of so many devastatingly difficult situations. You are a godsent to the families and individuals who are incarcerated and I am grateful for all you do.
22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea website.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability bio
Twitter: @CommishShea; @VoteforBrigid