Meet Joanna

Joanna Bryn Smith was born in Luzerne County at the Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston. She was raised in Jackson Township, where her public school teacher parents instilled her with a deep understanding of the importance of giving back to one’s community and engaging in public service. Joanna does not simply believe in service to her community, she views it as a responsibility.

Joanna is a graduate of the former Bishop O’Reilly High School in Kingston where she developed a passion for the arts that has endured throughout her life. She earned multiple scholarships to St. Joseph’s University and graduated with a double major in Philosophy and Fine and Performing Arts, then entered law school at the CUNY School of Law in Queens, completing their prestigious Defender Clinic. At law school, Joanna began her life of service by volunteering for a variety of organizations dedicated to providing legal services to students and the underprivileged.

After completing her law degree, Joanna returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania to work for the marginalized and under-represented in the community in which she was raised. As a public-interest attorney, she began her career in public defense before moving to advocating for victims of domestic violence. Always placing a priority on fairness and justice, Joanna works diligently to ensure everyone has a voice.   

Elected to serve on the Luzerne County Council in 2024, Joanna has the experience and record to represent us in Harrisburg. In her work on the Council, she has authored the Election Workers Protection Ordinance, lobbied for and passed the Responsible Contractor Ordinance and authored the county’s first Non-Discrimination Ordinance. She even worked across the aisle to pass a much-needed tax break for fully disabled veterans. Most recently, she authored and submitted the Protect Our Neighbors Ordinance: And Ordinance to Ensure County Resources are Expended for County Business and Safety Only, and ordinance aimed at putting a stop to any Luzerne County resources going towards ICE activities.

Joanna is at heart a public servant and is passionate about working with individuals to improve their community. Outside of her job as an attorney, Joanna volunteers with many community organizations, including teaching underprivileged students, serving as a speech and debate coach in local high schools, singing with the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and volunteering with the annual Valley Santa program. She is also a graduate of Northeast Leadership and has been a mentor to Junior Northeast Leadership classes. Not content to solely participate, Joanna has been a community leader, serving on the boards of the Fine Arts Fiesta, the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, and the KISS Children’s Theater. 

 Now wanting to continue to better her community with a new focus, Joanna made the decision to put her passion and experience to work for the her community by running for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 120th District. Due to her work in the community, Joanna has demonstrated her leadership ability over and over, assisting different non-profit organizations and making a difference in thousands of lives in Luzerne County. From her real-world experience on the Luzerne County Council, her wide-ranging community service, her teaching experience, and her work with marginalized communities, Joanna has gained a deep understanding of this county, along with the promises of its future, and the struggles it can overcome with the right representation and investment.