Rashida Tlaib: Political & Community Leader That's a Trail Blazer

Hear this awesome interview with Rashida Tlaib from a previous show where Dr. Geneva Williams was the host on The Senior Solution Show.

A daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Representative Tlaib made history by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan Legislature. Rashida Tlaib was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 6th House District (Detroit) in 2008. She was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. Representative Tlaib is the eldest of 14 and knows the importance of hard work, honesty and commitment to the community. As a resident of Detroit and a product of Detroit Public Schools, she is committed to working to create a safer, cleaner, and stronger community for all of us. Representative Tlaib has distinguished herself with her tireless work ethic and visibility on a multitude of issues that affect her district. She is the only legislator that operates a fully-staffed community-based service center that provides over 10 anti-poverty programs.

Prior to being elected, Representative Tlaib worked as an attorney, social worker and community organizer at a number of nonprofit organizations, where she advocated for better access to human services, education and civil rights. She was awarded the Role Model award from Alternatives for Girls, the Women of Wayne Headliners award, the United Community Housing Coalition’s Maryann Mahaffey Award, Zeta Phi Beta’s Woman of the Year award, named Hero of the Year award by Immigrants’ List and was recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Business “Women to Watch.”

Representative Tlaib received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wayne State University in 1998 and her law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2004. She is married with two sons.