Pramila Jayapal (1965 -)

U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th Congressional District (D), 2017 – Present

Pramila Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is currently serving her third term representing Washington’s 7th District. 

Ka’ai was recently appointed by the Biden administration to serve as executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). She is the first Native Hawaiian to serve in this position. 

The WHIAANPHI’s ambitious agenda includes working toward mitigating COVID-19 related anti-Asian bias, advancing health equity, strengthening public awareness of the APIA community, addressing equitable federal funding, and empowering civic engagement.