Published: June 28, 2008 09:45 pm            

AT RANDOM: A love for politics and service

Today, the United States seems more interested in politics than ever before. With the nation torn between issues, candidates, and parties, everyone seems to be waiting to see what direction the country will move next.

Connie Habern has been watching for much longer than most Americans.

For the past four years, Habern has served as president of the Walker County Democrats Club, and she is currently serving her third term on the Riverside City Council.

But Habern’s current passion for politics has not always been so strong.

Her first love was education.

Habern came to Texas from New England at the age of 11, after her father, a traveling salesman who worked the entire Northeast, was transferred to Walker County.

Habern graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in English. She began teaching elementary school shorly after college, but found it far too stressful to be a career

“After the first year, I just couldn’t see myself managing all those kids for the rest of my life,” Habern said. “Then someone said they knew a job where I could work one on one with students.”

A new state law afforded Habern the oppurtunity to work one on one with special education children. She went back to school, received a master’s degree from the University of Houston, and went to work as an educational diagnostician at Spring Branch ISD.

“Back then girls were either nurses, secretaries, or teachers,” Habern said. “I chose teaching because I wanted to work with children, and be a person who was helping other people.”

Habern would spend the next 29 years teaching at Spring Branch, and then later at Conroe ISD, where she retired. With her career path set, her interest in politics was soon to follow.

She attributes her rising interest in politics to the family of her first husband.

“My husband was Hispanic, and it was his family that really first got me involved in politics,” Habern said. “My father in law was a big influence. He showed me that the democratic party was the party of everyday people.”

Habern found a new cause in the Democratic Party, one that she identified with on a personal level.

“I think the word ‘liberal’ is a good word,” Habern said. “I think liberals are people who want no one to be left behind. That’s something I can understand.”

Habern said she also supports her chosen party out of concern for the future.

“I think about my son and my grandchildren and the debt they will have to pay, and I think about global warming and how the world will be left for future generations, and I feel like I should do something. I believe the democrats are the ones who are going to do something about it.”

Habern’s foray into active politics began when friends in Riverside started inviting her to democratic party and City Council meetings. As her interest grew, she ran for city council, and was elected.

Habern said that though she has a great concern for national politics, her work on the city council feels much more hands-on.

“I had no idea streets and sewers could be so much fun,” she said.

Her work with the Walker County Democratic Party also rings true on the local level. During her years as president, Habern said she has seen many changes in local political activity, changes that excite her.

“People weren’t all that interested four years ago,” she said. “I think people are just plain fed-up, and I think people want to see a change.”

Habern said one of the most rewarding parts of being a party leader is seeing young blood enter into the organization with enthusiasm.

“We had so many people who wanted to go to the state convention this year that some of us veterans actually had to step back so that some of the younger blood could go,” Habern said. “Seeing them come back full of stories about how crazy a state convention is was just a real treat. It lets us know the party definitely has a future here.”

The energy of the party’s younger members has Habern hopeful for the future.

“I think we’re changing,” she said. “Because the national voice is saying ‘we want change’, and I think it’s very possible Walker County feels the same way.”

Habern’s passion for politics on every level permeates her speech. She has views on every issue and every candidate, and she can’t help herself when it comes time to take action.

But for Connie Habern, politics are not the reward. Her reward is to see her community shine, and in her mind, when it comes to Walker County, there are no party lines when it comes to friendship.

“I grew up in a big city. Its nice to walk down the street and know other people’s names and they know your name. That happens here,” Habern said.

Next to Habern on the wall at Walker County Democratic headquarters is a banner depicting the democratic donkey, the iconic logo of the party Habern serves.

As devoted as she is to the party, when she talks about her community, that symbol seems to disappear.

“It’s a warm feeling to have a connection to your community,” Habern said. “And that goes for Democrats and Republicans alike.”

        

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