Brodhead hopes to play role in Naperville's growth

This is part of an occasional series featuring recently elected leaders in DuPage County.

Whether she's reading classic works of literature or detailed reports on development proposals in Naperville, Judith Brodhead is passionate about her work.

The North Central College associate professor is one of two recently elected Naperville city councilmen and the only female of the group.

Brodhead, 57, originally hails from New Jersey and resided in numerous cities while her husband, Gary Smith, was in the Marine Corps. But in 1985, the couple moved to Naperville and despite the harsh reality of the first winter, it quickly became home.

"The idea that all these subdivisions had lot of social activities and social support was very useful," Brodhead said. "You could go to bunco or bowling or pinochle or whatever you wanted to do - there was some kind of neighborhood organization for that and that was something I hadn't seen in other states. Other places were much harder to crack, much harder to meet people in."

The couple still lives in the same house where they raised three children. It was there in the Brook Crossing Estates neighborhood that Brodhead started her community involvement, working with the homeowners association to bring concerns to the city council and eventually becoming the group's president.

"I liked being part of the process and Naperville seemed to have a good process where you could get listened to and call people and they'd pay attention," she said.

Over the years her involvements have expanded. She has served as both a chairman and member of the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, chairman and member of the plan commission, member of the Transportation Advisory Board, president of the League of Women Voters of Naperville and director of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy.

She ran unsuccessfully for city council twice but thought this time around she would have the visibility and experience to win.

She was right. Brodhead garnered more than 5,100 votes, enough to be one of four to win a 4-year seat from among the crowded 13-candidate field.

Now seated on the council, she hopes to play a role in how Naperville develops over the next four years and into the future.

"How are we going to accommodate the needs of residents and the needs of businesses," she said. "What will happen in the downtown, what sorts of things can we do to support the downtown so it remains vibrant and has active businesses and a nice eclectic mix of independent stores and chains."

Transportation, Brodhead said, will be a key piece of the puzzle.

While she isn't quite sure yet what impact being the only female will have on the council, she says other women in the community have been quick to express their support. Feminine or not, she plans to exercise the same qualities she has brought to other boards.

"My experience on (the) plan commission was to find consensus among people and try to make people speaking in front of us feel comfortable and feel we treated them respectfully even if we couldn't agree with them," she said. "I think I see myself as fairly diplomatic but direct."

Perhaps this strategy comes from years of moderating classroom discussions. Brodhead, who holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in English from Rutgers University, has worked at North Central College since 1990. She currently serves as associate professor of English and coordinator of cultural events.

While her community involvements used to be a relief from teaching, now it's the other way around.

"I really love walking into a classroom and talking about 'Jane Eyre' or 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles,' or a film," she said. "That's fun."

Also fun for Brodhead is The New York Times crossword puzzle and sailing with her husband. The couple is also part of a neighborhood gourmet club she says is just as much about friends as food.

Whether it's North Central College or Naperville itself, Brodhead says she enjoys being part of institutions. Although her family thinks she talks about the city too much, she can't get enough and hopes she can do her part to make it even better.

"All eyes will be on Naperville," she said. "This is a large, successful affluent suburb which is not just a place for people to live but is also a big job destination and really more than a traditional suburb. It's not just a place where people go to sleep."