Ilhan Omar Makes History as the First Somali-American Muslim Legislator

There’s only one good thing to come out of this election. Women of color are heading to Washington… and that includes Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American lawmaker. She was elected state legislator in Minnesota with a clear victory.

Omar was born in Somalia and was a refugee in Kenya before immigrating to the United States at 12 years old. She lives in Minneapolis which is home to a great Somali community and diversity all around.

‘To believe in the possibility that all of my identities and otherness would fade into the background, and that my voice as a strong progressive would emerge if I was bold and believed in that — that made a huge difference for me and my candidacy.’

“I decided to run to, number one, work with people in our district and uplift our voices, build power together for each other, get our progressive platform and agenda through,” she told HuffPost. “And number two, to create a cohesive community that can see themselves as champions for issues that are not for a particular group, but for all of us.” Omar told Huffington Post.

Omar plans to touch issues on police brutality, voter registration, economic equality, and more.

“To believe in the possibility that all of my identities and otherness would fade into the background, and that my voice as a strong progressive would emerge if I was bold and believed in that — that made a huge difference for me and my candidacy,” she added.

Representation of Muslim women is making its way through many fields, including makeup and sports. Politics is another thing to check off the list. Another exciting perk is that she wears the hijab, so it’s nice to know that there is someone in American politics who looks like me!