While most law students want to be lawyers, some end up taking other paths. And that can be said for, Samantha Perlman.
Perlman is a Massachusetts native with the goal of becoming the next mayor of Marlborough. With her background in civic education and policy, her ongoing legal education at Boston College Law School, and a passion for public service, she wants to serve her community.
Perlman has been preparing herself for a career as a civil rights advocate by pursuing a dual degree at Boston College Law School and Tufts University, with an emphasis on voting rights and environmental justice. She sees a connection between open democracy and a healthy environment and wants to do legal and civic work to promote underrepresented voices. That includes addressing some of the city’s biggest challenges, including housing access, affordability, transportation, and environmental issues.
“Attending law school was about gaining additional skills to become a more nuanced and effective advocate in service to others, she said. “I am grateful, too, that my legal education allows me to add further value to the community that raised me.”
She values establishing trust with residents and acknowledges that her broad career background has prepared her to take on challenges.
Perlman launched her bid for public office after she noticed that the majority of City Council members were not in the same demographic as her — young and a woman.
“If fortunate enough to serve my city as mayor, that community-first mentality and horizontal-leadership that creatively empowers and engages residents will define my administration,’’ she said.
It’s not easy to run for Mayor while in law school. Luckily, Perlman has become good at juggling responsibilities. She successfully ran for City Council a second time in her first semester of law school. She knows that time management can be a problem, but Perlman is persistent in her commitment to both her legal studies and mayoral campaign.
Both Boston College Law School students and teachers have endorsed Perlman’s campaign. She is well-accepted by the community as a Public Service Scholar and former Rappaport Fellow for Law & Public Policy.
“Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do something,” she said. “If you are willing to put in the work, ask questions and stay focused, you will be unstoppable.”
To follow Perlman’s campaign, she can be found on all social media platforms as @SamforMarlboro. She can also be found on her website samanthaperlman.org.
Julia B. Johnson contributed to this story.
