I would like to introduce you to Nina Epstein, wife, mother, working professional, and alderwoman on the city council in the City of Kankakee Illinois. Nina and I sat down for coffee at Devon’s coffee shop. Here is a candid look at the new candidate for Mayor.

Nina is one of those people who are simply dynamic. She was born and raised in the City of Kankakee, Illinois and met her husband while attending college at the University of Illinois. They married later and moved to Washington, she never saw herself moving back home but a few years later she and her husband were moving back to Kankakee for good.

Q: How did you step through the threshold from community involvement into the political arena?

Nina: I didn’t go looking for it; actually someone, a previous alderman called and asked me to run for office. The alderman at the time was not going to run in the upcoming election. At first I thought, why me? You know I didn’t say yes or no, I simply said I needed to think about it and discuss it with my family. After talking with my family who were in support of my running and thinking it through I decided to run. It was difficult in that I am at heart a very private person.  There were so many things to do, forms to be filled out and turned in, a petition with so many signatures, and so forth. Another hard part of this was the fund raising, I had to go out and ask for money. There were a lot of firsts for me.

Q: How long have you been on the city council?

Nina: For seven years now. I also sit on different boards, commissions, and committees. There is always a great deal of meetings. But they are all important, like all communities at this time; we are working to find beneficial long term solutions to an ever changing world.

Q: When you look at where you are now do you feel satisfied with your accomplishments in an overall sense?

Nina: No, no, no. It’s nothing like that. You see in 20 or so years no one will remember who I was or what I did.  It isn’t about being accomplished in the sense most people think of it. It’s about being me and being willing to grow, to expand outside of comfort zones and to learn. In the end those who will remember me are my loved ones. They are the ones who will know, to whom it will matter, and by whom I will be remembered.

Q: I understand you are presently running for Mayor in the City of Kankakee. This is a daunting task for any candidate, do you feel it will be more so because you are a woman.

Nina: Well No, I really don’t. It’s obvious I am a woman, there is no need to name the elephant in the room, and we all know it’s there.  :: laughter::   However, I’ve no doubt that someone will try to make it an issue.  I truly believe that anyone running for an office like this faces a daunting task.  It’s about getting out there and answering questions. Knowing there are people who will take potshots at me, and being able to take it in stride. The election isn’t about my being a woman; it’s about being a mayor and all the responsibility that comes with it.

Q: Do you feel being established as an alderman for several years will make a difference:

Nina: Yes. I believe that in having been an alderman for several years I’ve come to know and to work with many in our community and many who have moved into our community. These people know me; they know what I’m about.

Nina: There is so much work to be done in any community. Many challenges, changes and for many it’s frustrating. The wheels of change move slowly in government. People want change, they want hope.  It’s simply hard waiting for it to happen.  I encourage people to become involved, to ask questions and to hear answers or proposals. People don’t always realize that because they don’t like an answer doesn’t mean it’s the wrong one.

Q: What do you enjoy most in daily life ?

Nina: My family. I love being with family; my husband, my daughter, my home. I love to clean, to enjoy quiet time and the simple moments in life.

Nina is a dynamic lady, at the age of 60; she has more energy and drive than many of us. She didn’t go looking for office, it came looking for her. She tells me sometimes life knows where you need to be and what you’re supposed to be doing. All we have to do is be willing to step outside our comfort zones and grow.

I have to say that Nina is woman of many facets. I would not call her a politician. I would call her an inspiration, and a mentor.

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