Though she’s always been careful not to make public assumptions, it’s been clear since August that Detroit native Rashida Tlaib was destined to make history as the first-ever Muslim congresswoman after these November 6 elections. After all, Tlaib ran unopposed in her Michigan district. And tonight, she didn’t disappoint—she won.
The real question, which Tlaib, 42, was always quick to assert, is whether or not she was going to get the unadulterated joy of sharing that massive milestone with Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar (Spoiler alert: she is). After winning her primary in early August, Tlaib was quick to share her resources with Omar.
Ms. Tlaib sent a dozen of her campaign workers to Minnesota to do a last minute canvas push for Ms. Omar, a state legislator.
“We both care deeply about where we come from, about how strongly we defend who we are,” Ms. Tlaib said. “Leaning on each other gives us courage.”
Omar’s win tonight means that the two women now share the “first-ever Muslim woman elected to Congress” title, but in a nation that’s been led so long by white men, there’s still room for each rookie congresswoman-elect to carve out a singular personal milestone. Tlaib just became the first Palestinian-American woman elected to national office, while Omar is the first Somali American elected to Congress.
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Representative-elect Tlaib at the She The People summit in September, along with several other members of the Daily Kos team.
The single mom of two excitedly reminded us that she “wouldn’t be alone” as a woman of color in Congress, which makes this particular “first” different from all the other firsts in her life.
I think it’s much bigger than just about me. I love the fact that I won’t be alone, that I’ll be there with Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, Jahana Hayes from Connecticut, Ayanna Pressley from Boston...
I’m completely thrilled that it’s gonna be this array, a beautiful rainbow of women that are gonna be coming with me. I think that’s the difference, that I won’t be alone.
That’s such a powerful change from the oh-so-uniform legislatures we’ve seen for the majority of this nation’s history. And the diversity of our elected officials means a diversity of experiences shaping our government. This interview with Tlaib explores just how the newly elected rep. will bring her lived challenges to the capitol in January.
Can’t get enough Rashida? Watch the Daily Kos interview right here:
Like New Mexico’s Deb Haaland, I’ve been somewhat obsessed with Rep.-elect Tlaib ever since I met her, and I can’t wait to see what she does not only for Michigan, but for these United States.
Congratulations, Mitten residents—you sure got yourselves a good one in Rashida Tlaib!