Indian American Senator – Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal is a trail blazer not just for Indian Americans but also for all immigrants to the United States. Through her exemplary story, Ms. Jayapal has demonstrated that the American dream is open to all those who are passionate enough about it. Pramila Jayapal was elected as a state senator for the state of Washington from the 37th legislative district. Her win followed a historic campaign which fueled a huge community outreach program with hundreds of volunteers taking part. A vocal advocate for the rights of immigrants, and of minority groups, she has worked both within USA and in the international arena championing the immigrant’s and women’s civil and human rights.

Her campaign for State Senator was historic for the sheer scope of community outreach that engaged thousands of new voters and got hundreds of volunteers involved. She single handedly founded the nonprofit organization Hate Free Zone, as a platform to counter hate crimes and discrimination that followed the September 11 attacks. She used this platform to advocate the rights of many different communities. The organization, now known as One America, went on to become the largest organization for advocating immigrant and refugee rights in America. The organization pushes for local, state and federal laws that help to strengthen communities and allow immigrants to become active American citizens. She has spearheaded one of the largest voter registration exercises in the state of Washington and has helped 23,000 naturalized American citizen for registering to vote. She was recognized as ‘Champion of Change’ by the White House in 2013.

Pramila Jayapal is also the co-director of We Belong Together, a campaign that has worked towards mobilizing women and supporting immigration policies that help to keep families together and empower women. She is currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Rights Working Group national coalition, and on the Executive Committee of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement. She is also helping launch the National Partnership for New Americans which is comprised of the country’s 37 biggest regional immigrant rights organizations.

Pramila Jayapal is also an active advocate in the state legislature, championing the cause of access to healthcare for all, gun safety and civic participation for all groups of people. She is frequently sought out by the media as an expert on various topics including economic justice, immigrant rights and community-police relations, She is very often invited as a guest speaker on various high profile political shows and has penned many essay, editorials and articles on various topics.

Pramila Jayapal, however is not someone who has had the opportunity to become a leader handed to her on a plate. Born in Chennai, India, she came like many others as a young immigrant to study in USA. She attended Georgetown University at the age of sixteen, after which she went to work as a financial analyst in a firm based in Wall Street and acquired her MBA from Northwestern University. She went on to settle in America and obtain a Green Card which she had to relinquish after traveling back to India for the birth of her son. She then traveled back to America and restarted the process of becoming an American citizen from scratch. Her experience of America as a country that welcomed and inspired immigrants to reach the heights of their potential has been instrumental in her entry into American politics and her advocacy for the rights of all.

To know more about the inspiring stories of many Indian immigrants like Pramila Jayapal and how you can be one of them, contact Global Tree the most trusted immigration consultant in India.