Tuesday, May 19, 1998
Attorney general campaign brings out the best in former
Bruin
POLITICS: Schenk adds to tradition of advancing rights of women,
unions
By Catherine Turner
Daily Bruin Contributor
Graduating from UCLA in 1968, Lynn Schenk was a Bruin determined
to enter the world with a roar.
She cleared forests of obstacles and gradually distinguished
herself as not only a powerfully determined woman, but an even
better example of what being a Bruin means.
Running for California Attorney General as a Democrat, Schenk
has climbed a steep ladder to add to her background and extensive
experience in the private and public sectors of law.
Her many accomplishments include serving as California’s first
woman Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing; serving as
a member of Congress; and working as San Diego port
commissioner.
However, her accomplishments did not come easily.
Schenk was born to Hungarian-immigrant parents who did not speak
any English. Her parents, who fled the Holocaust and came to
America with limited educations, had little money to support her in
college.
She financed her way through UCLA by working as a telephone
operator while mastering two languages (Hungarian and French) and
majoring in political science.
After graduating, she attended the University of San Diego Law
School, where women constituted only one percent of the student
body.
"There was already the pressure of being in law school and on
top of that, the added pressure of being different," said Schenk,
who has often been the only woman in predominantly male
environments.
However, Schenk survived the pressure and is happy that she
could make it simpler for other underrepresented individuals to
aspire and achieve their own goals.
"There is a fire in me to walk a path in such a very different
way that for those coming after me it will be easier," Schenk
said.
She is currently the only woman running for attorney general.
Her Democratic opponents include state Senators Bill Lockyer and
Charles Calderon. The Republican candidates are Orange County
District Attorney Michael Capizzi and David Sterling, chief deputy
to Attorney General Dan Lungren.
Her accomplishments in furthering women’s rights are numerous
and range from strengthening child support laws to expanding
training opportunities for women for high-skill, high-paying
jobs.
If elected into office, she will be an aggressive enforcer of
laws on consumer protection, environmental crime and personal
privacy, and not tolerate fraud against the elderly.
Schenk’s support of people who need help does not stop outside
of politics. Her personal life illustrates a character full of
compassion and caring for those who need it most.
"Lynn will never let me pass a person begging or asking for
help," said Hugh Friedman, her husband and strongest supporter.
"She believes that if a person is in a state or position in which
they need help, we have to help them."
Schenk was brought up during an era in which unions could obtain
enough strength to improve the awful existing labor conditions.
The importance of unions was not only vital to Schenk’s era, but
to the personal welfare of her mother, who worked as a garment
worker in very harsh conditions. Personally surviving the struggles
of poverty, coupled with few or no workers’ rights, inspired Schenk
to remain firm in her dedication to help people and offer support
to those who are struggling .
Friedman recalls one time when Schenk truly touched the hearts
of many people and proved her great conviction to support unions
and workers’ rights.
Schenk was supposed to make an important speech after she had
been appointed to the San Diego City Council on Port
Commission.
When she arrived at the restaurant, however, a picket line
protesting working conditions challenged her.
Schenk was torn between her commitment to give her speech and
respect for unions struggling to improve labor conditions –
eventually, she chose not to cross the picket line.
"She was confronted with crossing the picket line to give a
speech and couldn’t do it," said Friedman.
"The unions never forgot that. They couldn’t believe that she
had the courage to not be selfish."
Although much of Schenk’s determination and conviction existed
prior to her attendance at UCLA, she believes that college is a
place where strengths should and can be developed.
Schenk stresses that college offers many opportunities, but
cannot help being a bit biased toward her alma mater.
"UCLA is the most special place in my heart and in my life.
"It is a place that I could come with my strengths and a place
that celebrates strengths," Schenk said.
"UCLA will give you tools for life no matter what you
choose."
Even while running for the highest position a lawyer can attain
in California, Schenk manages to remember the importance of her
days at the university.
"Once a Bruin, forever a Bruin," Schenk said.