Forward by David Mulligan
“When Hannah Arendt visited an aging Martin Buber in Jerusalem she was taken by his openness to different perspectives “He is genuinely curious, desires to know and understand the world. In his 80th year he is more lively and receptive than all the opinionated dogmatists and ‘know-it-alls’. He has a definite sovereignty that pleases me”.
I have known Kathy Teahan for over 40 years and believe that the search for truth has been a hallmark of her life. She has come to the truth by listening with love to the poor, the sick and those in need. She sought the truth because she knew that it would cast a light on the injustices of our world. During her life she has spoken truth to power. It is not easy to speak out for those in need because those in authority are often more interested in hearing from those with money, power and influence.
As a member of the Catholic Church, she challenged the Church’s position on women’s reproductive rights and gay marriage. As a member of the legislature she fought for healthcare for all, the treatment of those with alcohol and drug problems, needle exchange programs for addicts, increased services for the mentally ill and the support of gay marriage.
She learned that those in power did not like to be challenged. The Church harshly and publicly criticized this most Christian of women who courageously spoke from her heart. In her government experience, her unwillingness to accommodate the leadership, left her without the resources needed to serve her constituents. To succeed in a worldly sense, one often needed to go along with those in power and ignore the problems of those in need. She did not seek wealth or power but to shine light on the truth, the needs of our poorest citizens.
One problem that she encountered in her church activity and in the legislature was that the power structure was dominated by men. A just, curious and humane community will never be realized unless the voices of all are lovingly and equally heard.
How did this listening Kathy Teahan respond to the setbacks she experienced? After retirement she moved to the Cape, volunteered at a soup kitchen, a Reiki clinic for cancer patients and driving services for patients going to clinics. She continues to dedicate her time to make this world a better place for the less fortunate.
Why does she do these things? I believe that she thinks that every day is important and that we are called at every stage of our life to be open to the suffering of the world. With this knowledge of the truth, we must act. She is motivated by a spiritual, a universal and transcendent spirit that sees that we must overcome the oppressions of gender, class, ethnicity, race and religion if we are to achieve the possibility of the happiness of all in this world.
If you believe that all people deserve happiness and wish to be motivated to participate in this goal, read this book and be exposed to a Kathy who works for this dream every day. As she learned more about the world, she changed her views. The changes were based on her empathy for the people that she met on her journey. They were changes from the heart.
She has a sovereignty that pleases me. It is based on being open to the world.
David Mulligan
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health (1989-1997)
Forward by Dr. Howard Koh
When I first entered government as the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, I was uncertain what public service might have in store. So many warned me, a long-practicing physician and a newcomer to politics, to be wary of anyone in the State House. I steeled myself to be ready for anything. But meeting Representative Kathy Teahan utterly disarmed me. From our very first interaction, she stunned me with her profound humility and humanity. Time and again, I witnessed how she tirelessly sought common ground among warring factions and found ways for everyone to work together to protect the precious and fragile gift of health. Others would regularly argue, lecture, or pontificate—but not Kathy. Whether listening attentively to small groups of constituents in her office or addressing large public gatherings before her Joint Committee on Public Health, she always exhibited steadfast passion and great compassion. She was the calm in the storm, always embodying the mission of service to the underserved.
Seeing her in action, I was constantly amazed how she, an elected official forced to endure the grueling hardships of endless fundraising and bruising campaigns, could yet conduct herself with such gentle dignity. But that was the source of Kathy’s soft power. She unfailingly treated each person, regardless of background or status, with unqualified respect. And whenever she asked any of us for advice or support, we always dug down deep to deliver our best effort. Because we never wanted to let her down.
Over the years since our time together, Kathy’s example has stayed with me—first through federal government service in the Obama Administration and now as a public health professor. I am delighted to celebrate her memoir that richly describes a life of dedication and purpose. Representative Kathy Teahan’s story is one of tireless concern for all and a passionate belief that public service is both an honor and a solemn responsibility. Her remarkable history demonstrates that government leaders can truly lead lives that make a difference.
Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, 1997-2003
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, 2009-2014
Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Kennedy School.
