Alumna among the new generation of women in politics

The series is in recognition of Kamela Harris being elected the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first woman of South Asian ancestry vice president in U.S. history. It also celebrates Vice President Harris as the first person to come up with this iconic style of Converse sneakers and pearls, even appearing on the cover of “Vogue” magazine wearing the combination.

During this month you’ll hear from several BU graduates who have gone on to distinguish themselves in government. On Wednesday, March 10, at 5 p.m., Pennsylvania State Representative Emily Kinkead ’09 will be speaking at the “Chucks and Pearls” lecture series.

Kinkead graduated from BU as a dual major in biology and political science. While at Bloomsburg, she learned many valuable lessons, which would serve her later.

“I learned how to effectively balance an incredibly demanding schedule without completely burning out,” Kinkead said. “Bloomsburg also taught me to think critically about the information I was told while reaching my own, informed conclusions.”  

Graduating during the peak of the 2008 recession, Kinkead struggled to find a long-term position in the workforce. “I always say that my career has been a jungle gym and not a ladder,” Kinkead joked.  

“For a while I worked at a community for people with developmental disabilities learning that people should always be involved in and consulted on the decisions that impact their lives,” said Kinkead.  

Kinkead, who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Law school in 2016, was motivated to run for office after the 2016 election.  “I knew I could do a better job and that my district deserved a more forceful advocate,” said Kinkead.  

In the Democrat primary, Kinkead ran against incumbent Adam Ravenstahl, who held the seat covering Pittsburgh’s North side city neighborhood and parts of the northern suburb for 10 years. Kinkead did not get the Democratic party endorsement but was endorsed by Allegheny County Council members, Bethany Hallam and Liv Bennet, two previous women who also beat incumbents.  

Kinkead pulled off the upset win polling more than 55 percent of the vote and ran unopposed in the general election. As a female in politics, Kinkead knows she has to be careful.

“I must be highly cautious of how I represent myself in and out of the office,” Kinkead said. “I have to be careful how I speak, how I dress, who I spend time with and where, and the kind of message that sends about me.”

She added, “As a woman, it’s easy to develop a negative reputation for being difficult. It’s nearly impossible to rehab that kind of reputation once you have it. More than that when you develop that kind of reputation, it’s hard to be an effective legislator because people won’t respect you or give you opportunities to advance.”  

“Being a woman running for office in Pittsburgh was not nearly the barrier that it often is for women who run elsewhere,” she said.  

Kinkead has come a long way and hopes to inspire the next generation of women leaders in the state, much like Vice President Harris has done on a National scale.