So Gwen Walz Reads The Mom Edit…

In March of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I received an email from a reader. “Good Morning” the email started, “I click in almost every day – it is a few minutes of me time.”

This reader went on to introduce herself as the First Lady of Minnesota, “a term that I have a lot of thoughts about each and every day,” (ha! me too) and finished with, “I have a day of conference calls and work ahead, but I wanted to send this, because now, more than ever, we must connect and tell others, YOU MATTER.”

That was my first introduction to Gwen Walz. I remember reading her email and feeling a little stunned. When you start a blog with only your mother as the initial audience, it’s easy to forget that things have changed. The First Lady of Minnesota?? Sending a note of support?? Just…wow.

Obviously, I wrote back! Gwen’s note was so genuine and warm, and I appreciated her taking the time out of her incredibly busy day to send a little love into the internet.

To my astonishment, a few days later, Gwen wrote back. Her emails, I have since learned, are almost always written in a way that feels old-fashioned, full of warmth and witty observations about her day. So much so that I suspect Jane Austin’s own correspondence would have nothing on a Gwen Walz email! Of course, when I eventually found out Gwen was once a high school English teacher…that absolutely tracks. 

Gwen happened to be in Philly recently, so we had the opportunity to sit down & chat. She is just as warm and lovely in person as she is in email, with a dry, self-deprecating humor that reminds me so much of the Midwest. Here’s what The First Lady of Minnesota (and our *future* 2nd lady) has to say…

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A Q&A With Gwen Walz…

Q: What *are* some of your thoughts on the title, “First Lady”? 🙂

It feels a bit old fashioned and I always ask myself, first for what…. But I also understand that there is some implied leadership in that title. It is a very undefined job description. That can be both an opportunity and a challenge.  

Q: What does a typical Friday night look like (when you’re not campaigning or working?)

I still have that school thing where I love to go to a game on Friday night! Since Tim has been governer that is more challenging to accomplish, often we have dinner at Eastcliff with family and friends, whomever is available. It is kind of a quiet night because we are usually preparing for a busy weekend of state events, campaigning, Gus’s sports, or projects and planning.

Q: I know when you got the news that Tim had been chosen as Vice President, you had very little time before jumping on a plane to Philly. What did you pack in your bag?

It was a scramble because those bags were for all four of us! Tim and Hope needed to pack for four days, Gus and I packed for two days. The first thing I packed was my travel steamer! The second thing, my UGG slippers. I packed a cardigan and dress for the announcement – and ‘sensible shoes’,  I guess. They were Stuart Weitzman (bought on sale at Nordstrom Rack!) in a neutral shade so I could wear them both days. 

The second day was an outdoor rally in Wisconsin where the temp would be only 95 degrees or something like that! I brought a navy ponte short sleeve polo-like dress and a jacket/sweater thing that was light. And sunglasses – my rather inexpensive Anthropologie pair in case things got lost in the shuffle. Hot rollers, a curling iron, a blow dryer, velcro rollers, all of my skin care (arm across the counter like a windshield wiper dumping everything into a large packing cube) and the same strategy with make-up. I am much more streamlined now…..

Q: You have so many eyes on you!! So many speeches! Do you have a feel-good outfit (or outfit formula) that you turn to when you’re in the spotlight?

The formula appeals to my never ending quest for organization. I almost always have a blazer on or with me; a t-shirt, sweater shell, or button down; pencil skirt or pants, and kitten heels. I love belts that coordinate with shoes, I know that is not always the style message but I don’t care. I add a ring on my right hand middle finger and mostly gold hoop or pearl earrings. I cannot figure out the wider leg pants, although I like the look.

Q: How do you stay anchored to your purpose?

Every briefing, memo, request, phone call – I ask that the purpose be identified. I ask everyone I work with to identify the purpose. This helps me move through large amounts of information in meaningful ways. It also helps me understand how to spend my time. For example, reading the comments from a social media post is not purposeful for me. I do ask someone on my staff to read them and bring back relevant themes, ideas, and feedback.  

Each night, I list the top four or five things that have to be done tomorrow.  This allows me to release the worry about what has to be done because I know I have a short list; therefore, I can focus on purposeful work.  I also keep a longer list of ‘to do’ items generally grouped by category.  These are in the  ‘parking lot’ lists until I move them to the short list or allocate work time. 

Q: I love your signature red lip – what lipstick are you wearing these days? 

Thank you! I had an Armani lipstick that I wore forever until it was discontinued….ugh, I don’t like when that happens!  So I searched and tried all of the things to try to match it.  I still use the Armani pencil but my new lipstick is Gwen Stefani GXVE Anaheim Shine Clean High-Performance Satin Lipstick in ‘Original Recipe’.  

Q: Let’s talk about your cardigans (haha). How many do you own, and what’s your favorite one? 

I like cardigans but I am really detailed. I think the proportions have to work for my narrow shoulders. I admire the casual elegance you all display with the oversize cardigans etc. I lean more toward what you might call sweater jacket-like cardigans. I have many!! My current favorite is the one I wore for the Running Mate Announcement in Philadelphia. It has blues and grays, the knit feels current to me. I found it at Talbots. 

Q: What does your daughter think of your cardigans? (Or your outfits in general?)

We have very different ideas on style. Sometimes she will like something of mine (Haflinger clogs) and then it/they disappear! But mostly, she distinguishes herself with her own look. She will say something about my outfit like, “Mom, your style/your outfit is really you.” Is that a compliment? I don’t know! But she has followed my lead in that she is ready for an outdoor adventure any moment of the day 🙂 Meaning: her style is really her.

Q: Tim’s “hot dish recipe” – is it truly his recipe, or is it actually yours? 

All Tim. Alllllllll Tim.

Q: I loved watching you make your great-grandmother’s ginger cookies….but what are some of your favorite easy weeknight dinners?

Chili that I make in the crock pot. We love it with bread from a local bakery or corn bread from a mix. I combine tomato soup, chili beans (with sauce), hamburger or veggie crumbles, 2 tablespoons butter, a little salt, chili powder, and brown sugar. Low temp in the crock pot if you make it before school! High temp if you are running home quick after school and have 3 hours or less!

A close second would be omelets. Everyone can choose ingredients and type of cheese from the fridge so we end up using several pans. I like toast and jam or fresh fruit with omelets.  

Q: I know you know cold weather – what’s your favorite winter coat (or coats!). 

I LOVE your coverage of boots and coats. In Minnesota it is all about having the correct gear! Hope is a ski instructor so I lean toward your recommendations on that front. I just read the post on winter boots– my friend and I think we might get the moon boots! We wore them a long time ago.

Currently, I have two beautiful vintage dress coats in camel and ivory. I do have a trench coat with a liner that was a lovely gift from two very dear friends – I wear this all of the time and have it with me now in my suitcase. 

Patagonia and Arc’teryx vests are part of my winter wear. And, as my mom would say, a good coat with a hood that goes to my knees – Michael Kors.

Q: Three best beauty products. Go.

• Revision DEJ eye cream
• Lush Full of Grace facial serum – it is a solid bar that melts into a serum when it is in contact with your hand or face
• Aveda dry shampoo

Q: What’s a classic Minnesota experience you’d love to share with out-of-state visitors?

The state fair – where do I begin!  Come at the end of August – Labor Day.

Q: Any hidden talents (besides writing such warm emails)?

I studied piano for 19 years and was an accompanist in college which helped me pay for my education. I am a decent gardener and have prioritized bringing back both vegetable and flower gardens at the Governor’s Residence and Eastcliff. Hunting for treasures and putting rooms together is something I do often for family and friends.

Q: What’s one unexpected thing you always keep in your bag? 

A box of Dots. And thank you notecards.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a mom? 

Getting to know the unique, independent person of whom I get to be as a mom. The discoveries big and small feel like unfolding treasures (or disasters).

Q: What do you think are the biggest issues facing moms right now?

How to reinforce and promote the values of kindness and empathy, and create inclusive communities. The current environment and some social media work against this.

Q: What would you like to say to any undecided voters?

Your vote is your voice. Do not ever surrender your voice. Make a plan to vote early or on November 5th. Freedom is on the ballot –  if you trust women to make their own decisions about their own lives and their own health, then you must vote for it. Kamala and Tim trust women to make those decisions. Trump and Vance do not. 

If you are most concerned about economic issues, ask yourself, who will fight for me? Who will fight for my family? I would make the case that Kamala and Tim come from middle class families and have a proven record of fighting for the middle class. Donald Trump is proposing a tax cut for the very wealthiest in our country which would cost the rest of us about $4000.00 a year. 

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Gwen, you are a treasure! Thank you for all that you do to serve this beautiful, diverse country!!

xo,

S