Aftyn Behn (MSSW ‘12) “cares loudly” about issues.
The 51st District Representative from Tennessee is concerned about corporate accountability, the rise of extremism in politics, gun violence, and a host of other issues in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Why?
Because as Rep. Behn states it simply for her constituents: “I am a social worker.”
“The best and highest use of my time”
As community organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center and Enough is Enough TN, Behn was already active in the Tennessee Statehouse and was prepared to take on a bigger role for change.
“I really feel like this is the best and highest use of my time,” said Behn. “The whole goal of my legislative career right now is to socialize big ideas so that eventually they are implemented.”
In 2023, after the death of a long-term representative, Behn decided to throw her hat into the ring. With the slogan “Care Loudly,” Behn campaigned in a special election where she won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.
As a state representative, she now uses her legislative office to advocate for macro level policies, connects constituents to state resources, demystifies intense bureaucratic information, and aims to affect change from the inside.
From East Tennessee to Austin, Texas
Aftyn credits her social work perspective from growing up in Appalachia, then coming to The University of Texas at Austin to study social work.
In East Tennessee where she was raised, Behn saw discrepancies between peers during her school years that led to different outcomes based on income. Coupled with history lessons on the Appalachian people transformed her into becoming a politically-active individual.
When it came time to choose a college, Behn knew she wanted to go to a large state school – one that differed greatly from her hometown.
“[UT] felt like the multicultural and multiethnic democracy that I want see in this world,” Behn said. “So for me, the takeaway was that I love how [UT] feels, looks, and tastes, so I want to give that experience to everyone else.”
Behn originally chose UT to study liberal arts, but upon returning for her master’s degree, she discovered social work.
“I think I went to the School of Social Work really looking for an experience that would help me not only further my career, but also help me understand the opportunities I have as a macro social worker,” said Behn. “I came out of it a fuller and more empathetic human.”
Social workers as government representatives
For social workers who want to get into macro policy work, Behn’s advice is simple: get involved, but prepare yourself.
“Politics are not for the faint of heart,” Behn said. “You need to have a lot of grit to be able to navigate all of the hostility and volatility.”
By taking a healthy pragmatism and real world understanding into the political landscape, supported by a supportive partner and support team, Behn knows that she – like other social workers in politics – does her work for the greater good.
After all, advocacy starts by caring loudly.