Life and Work with Emma Pinter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Pinter.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Emma. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My father immigrated to this country at the age of nine as a refugee with his parents. My mother was adopted and struggled to feel like she belonged in her adoptive family. My parents met and married soon after my father finished serving in the Army in Vietnam. It seems they were both carrying too much to make their marriage work and separated soon after having my little sister.

When my mom was unable to return to the workforce, we were homeless for a while and stayed with her parents. She returned to school, and worked full time while attending school, and raising two girls as a single mom. Often, we were short on money, and food. I would save my one new outfit from Christmas for months in an attempt to wear it on *just* the right occasion so that the kids from school would believe I too had nice things.

When I was 20, my mother passed away and I took over the care of my little sister while finishing college, and then law school. It became my responsibility to ensure that my teenage sister was able to finish high school and college.

I believed for a long time that no one like me would ever be in elected office. Nothing had come easily to our family. Two years after my mother passed away, my sister was run over by a motorcycle while crossing a road. She broke both her legs, several ribs, an arm and had a concussion. She was 18 years old at the time. I got the call while I was working my 2nd job at Starbucks in the evening. I had to quit, and immediately fly to be by her side in the hospital, as there was no one else to go.

Later that summer, I was in my favorite place in the world the Colorado mountains. I had a long talk with one of the leaders in our local church. I shared with her all that had happened and asked her how God could let so many things happen to one family. She took a long pause and replied that it was clearly painful but because of these experiences I would always be a person of great empathy.

Honestly, I was really angry at her response. Years later, her words have stayed with me and ring true. Now that I am in a position of leadership, and I have had so many different experiences what I thought of as setting me apart has actually connected me to so many- empathy.

So, when folks hear my story or learn about my family, the last thing they expect to hear at the end is that I am the youngest woman ever elected to the Adams County Commission. It is with my family stories and legacy in mind, I am motivated to serve in public office. It is with a commitment to opportunity, equity, and hope for all that I walk into my office every day.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Unfortunately, when I was in college, in between my junior and senior year, my mother unexpectedly died, which left me to care for my 16-year old little sister by myself. With the help of family and friends, we were able to rally around her and get her a full-ride scholarship to a local boarding high school, which meant that she was okay and finished high school on time.

That power of community and how my neighbors took care of me inspires me to take care of others. It is also a part of why I love serving in local government. My sister and I were lucky to have people take care of us, and you really shouldn’t have to be lucky to make it in this country. My public service is motivated by this belief through and through.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m an Adams County Commissioner where I serve as vice-chair and am the Tri-County Board of Health liaison for our commission. Complementing my service as a commissioner is my extensive community involvement and appointments which includes:
-Adams County Youth Initiative, ACYI Vice-Chair, and past chair
-National Association Counties, International Economic Development Task Force
-The Colorado Child Welfare Allocation Committee
-Board of Governors, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

I have dedicated my life to public service whether as an attorney working in legal aid clinics or serving on local boards and commissions. I am passionate about the vitality of my community, county, state, and country. I believe that when we center our efforts and policies with the most marginalized we all win, and our community will thrive. I proudly carry a global consciousness that begins in the heart of my Adams County home I share with my husband, our two daughters and lovely cats.

My leadership reflects my working family roots, generations of life experiences and the values of justice and equality. Raised by a single mother who was a librarian, I learned that you work hard and get the job done. My mother instilled in me a deep spirit of public service and giving back to my community. Whether we were helping a neighbor or volunteering at our local church, she encouraged me to contribute and always take a stand for what is right. One of the pictures that I have on my desk is of her taking me on a march for the Equal Rights Amendment and carrying me on her shoulders. Fighting for equality and justice has always been part of how we approach the world in my family.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
When you are starting your journey, it can feel really bold to have large dreams. Women are not often rewarded for being bold. However, having bold dreams can lead to hard work, and persistence. When I first ran for office in 2013, none of my close friends had ever run or had even worked on a campaign. That first run for office was really, really scary; it was a big leap into the unknown.

I worried for a long time that I didn’t come from a political family or have a lot of personal experience with campaigns. So, I worked harder than everyone else in my race. I didn’t have a big donor list, so I budgeted my money very carefully. I didn’t have a deep network of political advisors, so when someone would give me their time, I would prepare my questions in advance.

I slowly realized that my skills growing up with less, working harder than my peers for a similar outcome and even my crafting skills were valuable. I ran my race differently in part because I didn’t know any better. I was so stunned when I won that November. I was even more stunned that I set a record, at that time, for the most votes a City Council candidate had ever gotten in Westminster.

My advice for those just starting out: don’t be intimidated if you are the first in your family to do something or even the first in your friends/classmates. When you hold on to big dreams and put in the work, you will achieve great things. Go. For. It.

In those early days when I would walk into a room of business leaders, I would carry in my heart the people from my neighborhood. Going to work for them was paramount. This gave me so much more courage than if I were trying to do the work on my own behalf. Now, I am the youngest woman ever elected to Adams County Commission. And I am still working on behalf of my neighbors every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emmapinter.com
• Phone: 720-239-2053
• Email: epinter@adcogov.org
• Instagram: @emmahesspinter
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmmasForUs/
• Twitter: @ehpinter

Image Credit:
Emma Pinter

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