In the 1970s, when girls in Iran were largely deemed unworthy of a college education, Mitra Pedoeem became the only woman in a class of 60 students at the University of Tehran’s Civil Engineering College.
While Pedoeem was on vacation in the United States, the Islamic Revolution broke out in Iran. Her family told her it wasn’t safe to return home. She hasn’t been back since.
Growing up in Iran – and finding a new home in the United States – helped forge a resolve that Pedoeem says has served her well.
I grew up in a male-dominated country where even the idea of a woman attending college was not an easy choice. I faced significant barriers, yet I worked hard to achieve goals and build my career without noticing that I was the only woman. — Mitra Pedoeem, Montgomery County Planning Board Vice Chair
After retiring as the deputy director of Montgomery Parks in 2018, and then as the director of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) in 2022, she returned to public service. In 2023, the County Council appointed her to the Montgomery County Planning Board, where she’s the vice chair and only female member.
As part of M-NCPPC’s celebration of Women’s History Month, Pedoeem spoke about her identity as a Jewish woman, how a career in public service provided a sense of belonging, and why hiking in Montgomery County’s parks is her “therapy.”
Commissioner Pedoeem has had a long career in leadership roles for state and Montgomery County governments. She enjoys mentoring girls and young women about starting careers. “I tell them to dream big. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want.”
Q: You spent decades working in state and local government. Why did you devote your career to public service?
A: When I was in Iran, they didn’t accept me as Persian because I was Jewish. After being in United States for about 10 or 15 years, I felt that this is my country. This is where I belong. Working for the government made me connected to this land and made me feel that I could really belong and contribute to my community. This was true whether it was designing roads or bridges at the [Maryland and Montgomery County] Department of Transportation, developing parks and open space at Montgomery Parks, or when I was working at the Montgomery Department of Permitting Services and making sure houses and commercial buildings were safe and healthy. And when I could see that people were driving on my bridges or were happy in the parks that we had designed and developed, it was the best reward. That’s when I truly felt that America was my country.
Q: What issues around land use and parks do you feel most passionate about?
A: Parks provide space for people to relax and exercise and for community connection, which is essential. I’m also committed to addressing two of the county’s most pressing issues: affordable housing for all residents and the economic development of our county. A lot of our younger generation is moving out of the county because they can’t afford to stay here. We’ve spent a lot of money on educating our children in public schools, so we want to keep them here. Also, we want to keep our retirement community here. Many of our retirees move out of the county because they think their dollars may go further in other places. So economic development is very important for us.
Q: You’re the Planning Board’s only female member. How might you bring a different perspective?
A: As a woman, as a foreigner, and as someone who speaks English with an accent, I always focus on the work, rather than being labeled. I grew up in a male-dominated country where even the idea of a woman attending college was not an easy choice. I faced significant barriers, yet I worked hard to achieve goals and build my career without noticing that I was the only woman, including now that I am serving on the board. I have never allowed my gender to define who I am. Although I’m very proud of being a woman, I don’t let that define me. I’m there to hear all voices, all genders, all backgrounds, and experiences.
Q: What advice would you give to girls or young women thinking about pursuing a planning career?
A: I love this question because I love to be a mentor, especially to younger women and engineers. I tell them to dream big. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want. Be bold. Ask questions, and never let setbacks discourage you. If you fall, take time to reflect, rest if needed, and then rise again stronger. Respect the diversity of ideas and perspectives around you. Always stay true to yourself and don’t sacrifice your values.
Q: You used to be the deputy director of Montgomery Parks. What’s your favorite county park?
A: Frankly, I love all the 420-plus parks that we have in Montgomery County. I love hiking on our trails. Montgomery County offers miles of both natural and hard-surface trails, and I try to use them as much as I can. Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies. My favorite park is the one that I can walk to easily, such as Dufief Local Park and Muddy Branch Trails in my neighborhood. I walk around the loop in the park or adjoining trails in my community to make a three- or four-mile walk. I also love Brookside Gardens. It’s a gem in Montgomery County. Every once in a while, I’ll drive there to look at the flowers and plants and walk on the paths around the lake and gardens.
Q: Please complete this sentence: If I had an entire day all to myself, I would ….
A: My therapy is to walk and hike. When I’m tired, when I’m depressed, when I need to deflate, when I need to think, when I need to clear my brain, I just go and walk. The Muddy Branch Trail is walking distance to my house. That takes me into the woods. That’s a beautiful place where I go and unwind and walk. After I’ve done a good hike and cleared my brain, maybe I go to my favorite bakery and get a small scone or a small cookie and maybe a cappuccino. I have two grandchildren whom I love to spend time with. If I got to spend time with them, that would make a perfect day for me.
Leave a Reply