Crucible: Surviving Twin Challenges—at Home and Work

The morning after Lois Quam gave birth to her first child, Ben, the chief of staff to the governor of Minnesota called to ask if she would chair a new state health care reform commission. She said yes and used her six-week maternity leave from UnitedHealthcare, where she was research director, to set up hearings. Suddenly, at age 28, she was a working mother with two big jobs, juggling legislative sessions, business meetings, and baby rearing.