AYANNA PRESSLEY

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Elected to the Boston City Council in 2009, Ayanna Pressley is the first woman of color to serve in its 100-year history. In 2018, she became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts.

Raised on the north side of Chicago, her mother worked multiple jobs to support the family, including working with tenant’s rights organizations. Her father, who struggled with addiction, spent years in and out of prison, later overcoming his illness to become a published author. These early experiences profoundly shaped her understanding of systemic inequities and the need for compassionate, justice-centered policy.

Throughout her career, Representative Pressley has consistently been a leading progressive voice on multiple issues, including fair compensation for low-wage workers, student loan debt cancellation, equitable housing and health care, support for survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and a reimagining of the criminal legal system. She has been working with communities and fighting for neighborhoods her entire life.

As a member of Congress, Pressley has introduced landmark legislation that centers the most vulnerable. Her People’s Justice Guarantee resolution outlined a transformative vision for criminal justice reform, calling for the abolition of the death penalty, an end to mass incarceration, and investment in community-based alternatives. She has championed the cancellation of student debt, recognizing it as a racial and economic justice issue that disproportionately burdens Black and brown borrowers. Her advocacy for a $15 minimum wage reflects her commitment to economic dignity for all workers, particularly those in service industries who have been historically undervalued and exploited.

Pressley’s work on behalf of survivors has been equally groundbreaking. She authored the Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which became law in 2016, ensuring that survivors of sexual assault have fundamental rights during the criminal justice process. Her CARE Act addresses the intersection of criminal justice and reproductive freedom by ensuring incarcerated pregnant people receive adequate prenatal care and are not subjected to shackling during childbirth.
These legislative achievements demonstrate her holistic approach to justice—one that recognizes the interconnected nature of systemic oppression.

Beyond legislation, Representative Pressley has used her platform to elevate marginalized voices and shift political discourse. She has been a fierce advocate for those living with invisible disabilities, publicly sharing her own experience with alopecia to destigmatize the condition.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she fought tirelessly for relief for working families, calling attention to the ways the crisis exacerbated existing inequalities. Her leadership during this period underscored her belief that crisis response must prioritize those most impacted.

Ayanna believes we are all born with unique talents to contribute to the world. Yet while talent is equitably distributed, opportunities are not. Her life’s work has been dedicated to dismantling the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential and building a society where everyone can thrive.