As the oldest of 14 kids, Rashida Tlaib (Detroit) quickly learned the value of helping others. Growing up in the working-class home of Palestinian immigrants in Southwest Detroit, she often acted as a third parent for her siblings.
"Caring for my family really helped shape who I am today," said Tlaib, the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature. "I treat my job as State Representative for Southwest Detroit in the same light. I grew up here – this is my home, and I will stop at nothing to protect our quality of life and stand up for our residents."
Tlaib and her staff offer free tax preparation services, coordinate free immigration legal services for residents and run a free foreclosure prevention program. She also has brought her own brand of "environmental justice" to the community by fighting pollution and standing up to the powerful Ambassador Bridge Company to protect Detroit's land, air and water.
At more than 40 percent, Tlaib's district has the highest concentration of Latinos in the state. Roughly 25 percent of the population is African-American, while the rest is mostly white with a small percentage of Arab Americans.
"Although we all come from diverse backgrounds, we are a family and it's my responsibility to work hard for everyone in our community," Tlaib said. "No problem is ever too big or too small to lend a helping hand."