MultDems Member Spotlight: Lori Hood
Lori has been a Precinct Committee Person (PCP) for Oregon House District 52 since 2020. (The state representative for this district is currently a Republican.) She’s been active with the Environmental Caucus including advocating for Rural Timber Tax Fairness, and volunteering on various election campaigns including phone banks, card and letter campaigns. We asked her a few questions about why she is a Democrat.
Why did you become involved in the Democratic Party of Multnomah County?
A PCP in my community recruited me in 2020, and I accepted. I’ve been a community volunteer/activist most of my life, but I was not aware I qualified for a position in politics.
During the first few MultDems meetings I attended, I was voting on Black Lives Matter protests, policing, violent crime, housing and rent, and school funding. I signed a group letter to Governor Brown requesting she hold the timber industry in Oregon accountable. Within a few weeks, Governor Brown publicly announced she would be ordering an audit of Oregon’s timber industry, which eventually led to changes in forestry leadership and forestry practices. These opportunities for action were meaningful and led me to believe that I could make a difference in a larger way than I previously thought possible.
Why do you think it’s important for Democrats to become involved at the local level?
Individuals do have influence. Working together, individuals have power to solve problems relevant to their communities, and some of these actions cast a wide net of influence on other communities.
What are some of the priorities for our state and for Multnomah County this year?
I see the global warming/extinction crisis as the larger, umbrella issue that affects most other problems we need to solve as a county, state, nation and global community, and so that is my focus.
What is making you hopeful right now?
There are people who care and who are working to create a better future. Thank you activists!
What advice can you provide to your fellow Democrats in Multnomah County?
Stay hopeful and act now on the global warming emergency. Some people are uncertain how to respond to the environmental crisis. Find ways to lower your carbon footprint. Talk about issues that you care about with others and spread awareness. Urge politicians to cut emissions now and hold them accountable. Contact Dr. Catherine Thomasson and join the ODP Environmental Caucus; there are groups working on particular issues and you can choose to volunteer according to your priorities.
The following books might help:
– Knowledge to Power: The Comprehensive Handbook for Climate Science and Advocacy, by John Perona
–Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril, edited by Kathleen Dean Moore and Michael P. Nelson
Please tell us something about what else you do outside of politics?
I enjoy my family and pets, gardening, Oregon outdoors, wildlife sightings and hiking/snow trekking, and creative arts.
Are you involved in other causes?
Yes, I am involved in election campaigns, as well as volunteering for nature/ environmental projects, community literacy, including ABE/GED/ESL, adult accessible education, and local arts. Here are some links to these ally groups:
