RASHIDA TLAIB: Palestinian-American, Michigan State House of Representatives (Up for 2nd Term Re-Election Tue., Aug. 3, 2010)

One way to start building a community is by running for political office, which is what Democrat Rashida Tlaib did in 2008 when she made history, representing the Southwest District of Detroit (12th District Map), by becoming the first female Muslim elected to the Michigan Legislature.

On August 3, 2010 Tlaib is running for her second two-year term as a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives.

The child of Palestinian immigrants, Rashida Tlaib, raised in Southwest Detroit, became the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives. But getting there was not easy. Without name recognition, Tlaib campaigned door to door in her district, walking so much that she went through several pairs of shoes.

As part of her 2008 campaign strategy, Tlaib delivered cards to residents promising them a visit.

“When I showed up, people were like, ‘You actually came. You came to my house,’” Tlaib said, adding that most people thought she would send volunteers in her place. “It just motivated me more because of the smiles on their faces with the assurance that possibly there would be change and possibly there would be someone there [for them] that would be a good public servant.”

Tlaib won 44 percent of the vote in the eight-candidate Democratic Party primary. She garnered a whopping 90 percent of votes in the general election. Her district is 40 percent Latino, 30 percent non-Latino white, 25 percent African American and 2 percent Arab American.

“It is wonderful that many of my residents know that I am Muslim and call me when they want to do something special for my son during Easter and give him an Easter basket. ... It’s really wonderful because they accept me and they know that Islam is a very compassionate religion through the work that I’m doing,” Tlaib said.

Since coming to office, Tlaib has provided free tax-preparation service to low-income families, offered case management to residents on such issues as human services and utility assistance, and distributed more than 9,000 free books to children to increase literacy.

Tlaib said she hopes other Muslim women follow her example of community engagement.

“I can’t wait to see many of my Muslim sisters out there doing the same thing that I’m doing … and being genuine, because we are females and Allah made us that way, we are always in our hearts able to do [politics] in a very unique way,” she said.

Learn more about Rashida Tlaib's accomplishments and position on issues - and remember to vote on August 3! 

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