Council candidate still active with issues
Hagman Lawson keeps her finger in the pie
By Meg Boberg Special to the Acorn

Theresa Hagman Lawson

In addition to her desires to serve both family and community, Theresa Hagman Lawson has goals that reach far beyond Moorpark.

"My aspiration hasn't changed," Hagman Lawson said, referring to her run for the Moorpark City Council last year. "I'll work someday in the White House- it'll be a position or in a committee. There's a need in the nation for housing policies."

Using her law degree and knowledge of finances, Hagman Lawson's goal is to set new standards in affordable housing for the underprivileged.

Undeterred by not winning a City Council seat, Hagman Lawson sticks to the beliefs she espoused during her campaign, including her opposition to the power of eminent domain and her desire to develop the quality of life in the area and marry the voices of community members to the elected officials in the city.

"I ran because I was frustrated," she said. "I said to myself, 'It's time you put your energies right in your backyard and go out (in the community) to show your kids that if you're not happy, you do something about it.'"

Setting an example for her sons, Forest, 10, and Stone, 5, Hagman Lawson takes an active role in community service and gives voice to her concerns.

"I don't want to exist 50 hours a week- - I want to pursue my passion," she said. "What you desire in your heart of hearts has to have a righteous purpose and a good end."

As an officer at Countrywide and a delegate for the Republican Party, Hagman Lawson says she pursues her passion and thrives by helping the less fortunate.

"No matter what, no matter how hard the choices, she always makes the choice for what's right," said her longtime friend and Washington, D.C. resident Marilyn Willems. "She won't stand next to the appearance of impropriety. She's fair, openminded, and cognizant of the law."

Moorpark missed an opportunity by not electing Hagman Lawson to city council, Willems said.

"If there's the mere appearance something may not be 100 percent right, she doesn't go there," Willems said. "She never, ever cut a corner."

The Hagman family moved to Moorpark in 1979 and built the equestrian barn Elvenstar, a riding academy and boarding facility owned and operated by Hagman Lawson's brother, Jim Hagman. Hagman Lawson grew up riding horses and is still an equestrian enthusiast.

Long an accomplished athlete, Hagman Lawson was an alternate on the U.S. rowing team at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. Her memories of being coxswain and being part of a team helped her over the years, she said.

She can count among her contributions to society the reverse mortgage loan, which gives senior citizens the opportunity to be "health rich, though cash poor," according to her friend and former colleague at Countrywide, Dottie Sheppick.

If Hagman Lawson goes to Washington to follow her ambitions, the ball will continue to roll on housing policies, Sheppick said.

"She'll make it. She's bright and tenacious. She's a little blonde with a big brain and she doesn't pull any punches," Sheppick said.