Finnegan Named Among Most Influential Woman In U.S.

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State Rep. Lynn Finnegan (right) and former state Sen. Lorainne Inouye accept their Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. award during a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Rep. Finnegan’s office.

State Rep. Lynn Finnegan was recently honored as one of 42 policymakers and visionaries recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network as part of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States.

“It’s just a good group to be a part of,” said Finnegan. “I’m happy to be a part of this group of 100 because culturally, if this award helps some young Filipino teenager to realize that there are a lot of Filipina women who have been able to aspire and reach their goals on their own merit, I think it will serve an even greater purpose.”

The Republican represents the 32nd District, which encompasses Lower Pearlridge, Aiea, Halawa, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Foster Village and Moanalua Gardens.

A graduate of University of Hawaii, Finnegan was elected to the House in 2002. And though she previously worked as a senior loan originator with Primary Residential Mortgage and as an entertainer on the Al Harrington Show, she said her greatest role has been as a wife and mother. She is married to HFD Capt. Peter Finnegan and has two children, son Luke, 10, and daughter Piikea, 14.

“When I shared the news with my daughter, she gave me a smile and said ‘Good job, Mom!’” Finnegan said of the honor. “It helps her to operate without thinking she can’t break through that glass ceiling.

“In this day and age, it is so important for her and other young women to really realize things like this are attainable.

“I was very surprised, though, myself. Though I love my job and the role I play here in Hawaii, you just never see yourself being recognized on a national scale like this.”

Finnegan is a member of many community groups and organizations, including the Imago Dei Community Church, Aiea/Pearl City Business Association, Cagayan Valley Association of Hawaii, Moanalua Lions Club, the House Education, Health and Higher Education committees, the Interim Task Force on Standards of Conduct and the Legislative Management Committee.

In addition, she served on the board for Voyager Public Charter School in 2002, as an advisory board member for the Minority Organ Tissue and Transplant Education Program and as first vice chairwoman for the 2001-2003 Hawaii Republican Party Executive Committee.

On the national level, Finnegan was state officer for Women In Government from 2002 to 2005; a member of the National Foundation of Women Legislators from 2002 to 2004; a member of the Council for State Government-West Leadership Academy Class of 2004; is on the Education Commission of the States; and is a State Committee member as the governor’s representative.

Her key issues include charter school funding, crime reduction, drug-use prevention, education reform, health issues, improving good business climates and senior/elder issues. She also has been elected by her colleagues to serve as minority leader for the state House of Representatives for the past five years.

“A lot of it is awareness and making sure that people understand education reform - like getting the dollar down into the classroom - and other issues I focus on, like looking at different policies that are introduced here in terms of senior care, healthcare, crime reduction and drug prevention.

Also, this past 2008 legislative session the state Legislature passed a resolution on the sister state relationship for economic benefit and cultural ties between Hawaii and the Philippines.

“We are now working on finalizing an agreement to bring the Tuguerao People’s Hospital in the Philippines about half a million dollars’ worth of medical equipment to help them out and to strengthen our ties there.

“We just want to boost community involvement and understanding,” Finnegan said.