Did you know that my 50th birthday is in less than 2 weeks?

Ayanna Pressley for Congress

Dear friend,

Did you know that my 50th birthday is in less than 2 weeks?

As I approach this new chapter, I’m filled with gratitude for this community and your unwavering support. I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone and everything we’ve accomplished together. So I’ve gotten a head start on the celebrations by putting together 50 fun facts that you may not know about me.

In honor of my 50th birthday — and because I don’t know how to be anybody but myself — take a peek and celebrate some of my favorite pastimes and memories that you may (or may not!) know about me. Consider this a behind-the-scenes glimpse beyond the Congresswoman, if you will.

50 fun facts you (probably!) didn’t know about me!
  1. I love to bowl.
  2. My favorite book as a child was Little Women.
  3. My favorite books to read are poetry.
  4. I can't say no to a Law & Order: SVU marathon.
  5. I am a homebody.
  6. I would rather take the train than fly.
  7. I typically read 3 books at once, and I usually read each book twice.
  8. The one food I can't do without is salmon.
  9. Every morning I begin my day reading The President's Devotional, by Joshua DuBois.
  10. I was a contestant on MTV's Lip Service in college.
  11. Before I leave for work each day, I listen to songs by gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds.
  12. I collect tea and tea sets.
  13. I love to play dominoes.
  14. I absolutely love C-SPAN.
  15. My favorite store to shop at is CVS. I have a habit of browsing the aisles for too long.
  16. My cat is a rescue Maine Coon named SoJo, after Sojourner Truth.
  17. In Swahili, Ayanna means “beautiful flower.” And my middle name is Soyini which means “richly endowed.”
  18. My senior year of high school I was voted ‘Most Likely to be the Mayor of Chicago.’
  19. My first job was at Footlocker.
  20. I was a cheerleader in high school, and loved it!
  21. I get up between 5 - 5:30 AM everyday.
  22. Slow dancing in the living room or kitchen is one of my favorite things to do with my husband, Conan.
  23. I do not drive or have a license (city kid).
  24. My happy place is Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, sitting on the porch reading.
  25. As a teenager, I was a print model.
A Photo Collage: Ayanna as a child, a headshot of Ayanna, and a photo of Ayanna while running for city council.
  1. I am very clumsy. If there is a crack to trip over or a hole to fall into, I will find it.
  2. Black has been my favorite color since Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation album.
  3. Occasionally, I wear purple or leather accents as a tribute to my mom who loved both.
  4. I love a bold red lip.
  5. My favorite accessory is sunglasses — I own 50 pairs, most of them from drugstores.
  6. For a period of time, I was the only woman on the Boston City Council.
  7. I was once flown in to audition for the television series A Different World. (The role I auditioned for went to actress/author Jada Pinkett).
  8. My favorite cake is lemon or 7-Up pound cake.
  9. I don’t drink regular coffee, but I enjoy mushroom coffee.
  10. I am always chilly.
  11. My favorite movies are documentaries, especially sports ones.
  12. My favorite basketball documentary is Hoop Dreams.
  13. My all-time favorite musical is The Wiz.
  14. I love purple orchids and tulips.
  15. As a child, I wanted to be a pediatrician or a neurosurgeon.
  16. I make mean shrimp and grits.
  17. I worked as a banquet wait staff on and off for 6 years.
  18. I have only been an alopecia totalis queen for 3 years.
  19. As a teenager (growing up in my grandfather's church), I was a soprano soloist in the choir.
  20. I have a fear of heights and escalators.
  21. The Instagram reels I exchange the most are of dogs. They can do no wrong in my eyes.
  22. The older I get, the more I prefer a phone call to a text message.
  23. My mother's name is Sandy, and my father's name is Martin.
  24. I was born 2 months premature.
  25. I am Team Android, not iPhone.

As always, thank you for allowing me to show up unapologetically, as my authentic self, everyday in this work.

Yours in service,

Ayanna

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