Theresa Kail-Smith: President, Pittsburgh City Council
Casondra Sobieralski conducted this interview with Councilwoman Kail-Smith on January 20, 2024.
What is your role in the Pittsburgh City Government, and what has your path been to that role?
I have served as a Member of Council representing District 2 (D-2) in the City of Pittsburgh, which includes 24 neighborhoods, since 2009. D-2 is the largest district–there are 9 districts–in terms of geographical miles, and we border the most boroughs.
I have served as Council President Pro Tempore, chair of the Public Safety Committee, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee–my favorite–and four years as President. President is an honor, however, my least favorite position. I requested Parks and Recreation again as I prepare to retire at the end of my term in two years. I want to enjoy my last two years! I also started the first ever women’s caucus of Pittsburgh City Council.
What is your philosophy of governance, and what, or who, inspires it?
Actually, it somewhat morphed into who I was an adult volunteer in the community. We are here to serve. We are public servants. Therefore I am not committed to any singular theory or party. Although I am a Democrat, I try to yield results for the people I serve. Period. A lot of my inspiration comes from my strong faith in God, which comes from our 102-year-old mom. My children, grandchildren, and our extremely large extended Lebanese family and seeing all the examples they set. Read about our Pittsburgh Hill District, which is where they originally lived as a family. Expectations were far too high for me. I understood how to care, so I ran with it. I hope that answers your question.
You have done some very bold, brave, and creative things as a City Council leader. I remember seeing on the news, for example, that you held a listening session with gang members. Can you tell us about that?
Well, I never refer to the people I care about as gang members. Most call me Mom!
My bad! I love that they call you Mom!
Anyway, I spent my life working in the community across Pittsburgh. I spent time working for Pittsburgh Public Schools and various nonprofit organizations, which often led me to the streets working with young people. There are more stories than I can share, but the kids loved me and I loved them.
However, there was a particularly painful time between police and youth after a young Black person was shot by the police while the police were responding to a call. I bought all parties together to work toward some legislative and other solutions. My aim was to try to ease the pain and to find solutions to avoid further similar incidents. The legislation was written by a colleague of mine who asked me to help bring people together. Finding solutions to the benefit of the people in my community is the thing I do best and often because it is easy when you sincerely care. It worked out well. –although I thought conversations should have continued. You can’t expect to build relationships by calling for peace only after another incident. No one feels valued with such little effort.
Are there other creative, solutions-oriented actions you have taken?
Yes, many! I have started the anti-litter campaign, an e-recycling program, a free grass cutting program for seniors, veterans, and for people with differing abilities. Also, I started intergenerational dialogues, a boxing program with an ART component because I really hate boxing! Art made it seem kinder. All my programs that I sponsor or support that involve youth include a parent/guardian component. I also started an LGBTQIA+ organization in D-2, the women’s caucus, an environmental organization, a Cultural District 2 Art organization, et cetera. I also introduced legislation to create free community farms in each Council district.
There have been so many initiatives since 2009, it is difficult to remember it all. Basically, if we need a solution, I try to think outside of the box. I think it comes naturally because I am not political. I came from a true community background.
Those sound like really innovative initiatives! Combining boxing and art might be a first! And community farms have so many benefits…
If you could wave a magic wand and transform Pittsburgh, what would your vision be for the city’s future? Remember this is “magic”–an imaginative speculative design exercise–so budgets are not an obstacle. In this exercise, your fairy godmother gave you three wishes for funding dreams!
I wish! That people felt truly valued. That people were truly valued by ALL. It is partially about investing in neighborhoods. Providing clean streets, help struggling people, keeping people safe. Not everything involves money…but I would immediately complete the community center I started. I would complete the Trolley Trail I started three years prior to my first election! It is a trail on an old trolley line compromised from all recycled materials. I would have tiny houses for any unhoused population. There is so much need, it is difficult to narrow it down to just a few initiatives, but housing, youth, safety, anti-litter, neighborhood stabilization programs, and urban gardens are some of my most significant efforts. There would be no person in pain.
Thank you so much for all the positive impacts you are working for! What advice do you have for other bold and creative women who want to run for public office?
When I first entertained running for office, I went through an extremely challenging time. Not because the community didn’t like me; rather it was because the community loved me, and I loved them. I didn’t get involved because I wanted to run. I ran because I was involved and sincerely cared about the community. It’s a big mistake we make during voting. We pick people who pretend they care by getting involved for a few years. People who are truly involved never want to disappoint those we served alongside.
I’ve learned over time, if you can’t be controlled, those in control do not necessarily see the value in you. Run anyway! I didn’t knock on one door, and I won overwhelmingly. Ever since, those same people who fought me continued to do so. I stayed. One person in particular came to our home to tell me how women do not belong in politics.
It is so frustrating that some people still think that way! I focus my scholarship in the Ancient Near East, and over 3000 years ago, 6 women served as full pharoahs in Egypt, plus a few others who co-ruled with their male spouses. I wish I could buy that person some books!
He has since been elected! Actually embraced by our further left Dems, which seems like an unlikely and odd connection. However, I continue to be me, and I’m happy to serve. Stay focused on the community and always do right by them. It will never go unnoticed.
If any of your readers would like additional information on running, I’m happy to help however I can. They can email me at the email address below:
I’m happy to have a conversation!
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