Rep. Sara Innamorato's Biography
As she represents the 21st Legislative District, Sara Innamorato is guided by a mission: leveling the playing field to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have equal access to opportunities to lead a life with dignity. To Innamorato, that means putting people first – over corporate profits and greedy individuals - which is why she advocates for increased transparency and reform in Harrisburg. In addition, Innamorato champions improved and expanded Medicare-for-all, a fair tax system, economic dignity through fair pay and a union, affordable housing, clean air and water, and the best possible schools for our children.
Growing up in a middle-class family in Ross Township, Innamorato learned early on that middle-class roots can be fragile and don’t necessarily guarantee a secure future.
To the outward eye, Innamorato had the appearance of a secure life. What she didn’t know, however, was that her father was living with a terrible secret: an accident he suffered before her birth had led to opioid addiction. After her father went through several unsuccessful rehab attempts, her mother, sister and she left her childhood home and with it their primary source of income and a financially secure future. Thanks to family, friends and neighbors, she said, she rarely found herself without food or a place to stay. After decades of attempts to quit, her father was unable to overcome his addiction and died suddenly in 2009.
After graduating from North Hills High School, Innamorato worked her way through college, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in business. As she pondered her career path, she realized her desire to use her business acumen to better people’s lives. After completing a leadership program with an international tech company, she took a job with a small nonprofit organization dedicated to resident-led community development, creating opportunities for employment and environmental stewardship.
In time, she launched her own business, Innamo Co. With a mission of “marketing for social good,” the company works with other organizations dedicated to bringing about positive community and policy change through events and initiatives focused on food access, social justice, women’s rights and other human rights issues.
Innamorato also co-founded an initiative called “She Runs SWPA,” which aims to empower more women to run for elected office in the region. In time, she realized that she wanted to join them and bring new leadership to the Commonwealth.
A proud Lawrenceville resident for nearly a decade, Innamorato volunteers as a member of the Lawrenceville United Housing Committee and as a steward to the community’s gardens – a job she considers a good metaphor for nourishing solid community roots.