Carolyn McLaughlin initially started her career in public service and chemistry research before entering the political arena, where she served three terms on the Albany Common Council starting in 1997. McLaughlin took a brief retirement, then launched into action again, being elected in 2019 to represent Albany’s first district on the Albany County Legislature. She has spent the bulk of her tenure advocating for others, leading efforts within several groups including the South End Action Committee, Woman’s Club of Albany and Zonta International, which has earned her Women of Excellence honors for Excellence in the Professions.
Women of Excellence luncheon
- When: 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 18
- Where: Marriott Albany, 189 Wolf Road, Colonie
- More info: capitalregionchamber.com
A: I’d say lack of financial resources to achieve the things that you want to see done and to address the needs that people have in the community. To have enough resources to provide adequate senior and youth services in our communities that are convenient, and where people have access to them without any barriers to access. On the flip side of that, it’s really a challenge sometimes to assist people in understanding the role that they can play in finding solutions. You can’t just look for somebody and sit at home and think we’re going to take care of it. I need your help to take care of it. So when I look back behind me, (and) I see you there, that gives me what I need to go on to find the results that you’re looking for.
As long as you know you have people that are going to benefit from your hard work, I believe that’s what pushes us along. It’s not for the faint of heart because you know you’re going to hit brick walls, and you’re either going to force through it or go around it to get the job done. And that’s why I’m still here.
Q: What do you think is the county’s most pressing problem right now?
A: I think affordable housing is a big issue. We’re looking at how to use our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) assistance, which we haven’t allocated yet, using a major portion of it to address the unhoused and affordable housing in Albany County.
Any way that we can assist people to become self-sufficient and contribute to the economic finances and development of the Capital Region, we need to do that as well. These (ARPA) funds, we’re going to see once in a lifetime. We’ve got to make sure we distribute them wisely and efficiently.
Q: What do you think is the toughest part about being in politics?
A: Making sure your voice is heard and (knowing) it’s not your voice, it’s the voice of the people. To make sure that you’re not drowned out by all the other voices that have been put into the conversation from the federal level all the way to the local level. It’s challenging, at best, because there are so many other voices that are also crying out to be heard.
Q: What is something you do that is unique compared to others, that allows your voice to be heard among the masses?
A: I try to show up. And when I show up, I speak up.
Q: It’s often harder being a woman in politics or just a woman in the room. How do you navigate that?
A: Women bring a sense of sensibility and compassion to discussions that are all-inclusive. And yes, indeed, I think it is difficult when you find yourself the only woman or amongst a small group of women in the room. So, it is important for women to band together for the good of the beloved community. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, that’s true.
Women, unless they are very self-assured and are supported by the other individuals in the room, particularly those men, they sometimes will not rise to the occasion. But thank God that we have women who are representative of what success can be achieved when you have women in the room.