WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE - MELISSA MCLAWHORN HOUSTON 

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Host: Melissa McLawhorn Houston is the Chief of Staff for Oklahoma's Office of Homeland Security. An attorney by profession, she never envisioned working in state government, but extraordinary events would have a way of determining her life's path. 

Melissa McLawhorn Houston: My first grown-up job was as the staff attorney for the Truth in Sentencing Commission. We were located on the third floor of the Journal Record building. There are two-story arched windows on the side of the building, so our offices actually overlooked the survivor tree. 

Host: A young attorney fresh out of law school in 1995, Melissa would have no way of knowing the significance of her location to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, nor would she be able to imagine the impact it would have on her life. 

No Audio: Melissa McLawhorn Houston û Chief of Staff, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security

Melissa McLawhorn Houston: And so I was in the office on April 19, 1995, and I think, you know, part of it - because I was so new to the job, I didn't have a lot of furniture. I didn't have a lot of things on my furniture. And so, when the explosion happened, pretty much just all the furniture kind of flew on top of me. And so I ended up on the ground. 

It turns out I was next to one of the columns for the building. I was in like a little bit of a lean-to, and so I was able to get out of the building. I was the only person in our staff who didn't go to the hospital that day. It's an experience that had a very profound effect on, you know, my life's, I guess, view of things. 

After the bombing there was a lot of anger and frustration and it's just... it's really emotional to go through something like that, and to feel that you were spared when so many people were not. And I was really lucky that I was able to get involved with a group of family members and survivors that, you know, took that anger and rather than suing the federal government or, you know, going on Jerry Springer or whatever, you know, it is that you would do, they were really committed to trying to change things and to trying to make the world a better place. 

And so what we worked on was anti-terrorism legislation and death penalty reforms. And we traveled to Washington, D.C., and we spent a lot of time working on the very first anti-terrorism bill. And I think, at the time, we received, I mean, maybe like $3 million for the entire country to help fight terrorism. And we thought this was such a huge deal and we partnered with the families of Pan Am 103. 

And I remember they hired like three whole people to work on anti-terrorism in the country. And we were so excited about it. And, you know, here I am all these years later, 15 years later, working for Oklahoma, again fighting terrorism. 

Host: Shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks, there became a need for states to form local Homeland Security offices. At that time, Bob Ricks, the Homeland Security Director under Governor Frank Keating, contacted Houston about working in the new Oklahoma office, but she had her reservations about working in state government. 

Melissa McLawhorn Houston: I think I just had the perception that I would end up in a cubicle working for no money, when I could work in the private sector and be paid so much better and it would be so much more glamorous of a position, I guess. You know, you're young, you think these things. 

And I did end up working in a cubicle. My very first position, we had one room that was the Homeland Security Office, and there were four of us. And I thought I would be here, you know, maybe two or three years to help set up the office and then would move on and do something else. And I've now been here, I guess, seven and a half years, and love it. 

I mean, it's something that I'm truly passionate about. I really do feel like we're making a difference every day and, you know, as a survivor of a terrorist act, I think I have a unique position on why the work we do is so important, because I don't want ever anyone to have to go through what the people in Oklahoma City went through on that day. 

And so if we can do some small part to help prevent that, to help plan for that better, you know, then I feel like I've made a difference somehow. 

Host: Throughout her career, Houston has worked in positions not typically held by women. 

Melissa McLawhorn Houston: I've just always approached it that I never hid the fact that I was a woman, but I never tried to exploit the fact that I was a woman, either. I mean, I treated people as I wished to be treated and, you know, over time I think even those who may have been, you know, uncomfortable with whether or not a woman could do this kind of job, just treating them with respect and with integrity, I think eventually they'll come around and come to see you as a person rather than a woman first. 

When I worked for the Sheriff's Association certainly, truthfully they probably had more of a problem with the fact that I was a vegetarian at the time than with the fact that I was a woman. So, to their credit, that was probably their bigger issue. Or maybe with the fact that I was a lawyer. That was another one that probably wasn't as endearing. 

No Audio: Work-Life Balance

I think the best way to maintain work-life balance is just not to sleep. That seems to be, you know, the only way to solve it. It's, you know, it is really tough. It's really tough. I guess I didn't appreciate it as much having children older in life, how exhausted I would be all the time. Accepting where you are at each phase, trying to be easy on yourself and, you know, scaling back the obligations that you can, but trying to find joy in the sustainment of what you have. 

I try not to listen to the critics. There will always be people who don't support me being in this position and being a mother and a wife. And I have friends who've made different choices. I respect their choices and hope that they would respect mine. And I think as women, we just need to learn to respect that people take different paths and that's okay, and accept people, you know, kind of where they are. 

Host: Melissa is a survivor, one of the many people directly affected by the Murrah bombing who has turned that tragedy into her life's passion. That passion continues to drive her today, keeping Oklahoma safe and distinguishing herself as one of our state's leading ladies. 

Melissa McLawhorn Houston: I really enjoy working in state government. It is an opportunity to make a difference and to make an impact in the lives of, you know, 3.3 million people. And whether it's in public safety, you know, or Homeland Security, the area that I work in, to you know, helping make sure that people have food on their table or they have appropriate health care. 

I mean you really are impacting the lives of people across the state of Oklahoma. And to know that if, at the end of the day, that the people in leadership are really motivated by wanting to make a difference and not necessarily by making a profit, is just... it's really a rewarding place to be.