Email from Organization Name How does experience serving on a school board, an unglamorous and often overlooked position, equate to effective leadership at the federal level? Hello John, As a 27 year old, when I talk to people about my campaign, one of the first questions I often get asked is do you have enough life experience to run for office? As the first woman in my generation to win an election to public office, a highly contested school board seat - a role which I’ve continued to serve in for the past seven years, my response to that question is a resounding yes. But how does experience serving on a school board, an unglamorous and often overlooked position, equate to effective leadership at the federal level? Time Magazine featured me on their cover back in 2018 for my historic run. That’s me circled on the bottom left. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of from my tenure on the school board has been ensuring that Jewish and Muslim students in the schools I oversee could receive kosher and halal food options in our district. I attended the same schools that I presently oversee on my school board and I remember the lack of food options that met my dietary needs growing up. So, upon getting elected to the board of education in 2019, one of my first initiatives was to mandate halal, kosher and vegetarian options in every school I oversaw. This initiative proved so successful that I was able to advocate for an equivalent at the state level, the Faith by Plate Act, which offers the same accommodations in every state funded facility: schools, prisons and hospitals. I testified in front of the Illinois General Assembly in favor of the bill and my schools were used as a case study to convince legislators of its feasibility. The act was ultimately signed into law by Gov. Pritzker in 2025. This is a diverse district made up of Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic, and so many more families, and providing children food they can eat at school is indicative of the coalition building I plan to continue at the federal level. As we head into the 2026 midterms, we need Democrats with more than just a D next to their name. To win we need people with proven track records of leadership in their communities. I’ve fought for IL-09 students for eight years and this district knows I have their back. Can I count on you to make a donation to help us build the campaign we need to win and take this leadership to the federal level? If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: Donate $5 Donate $15 Donate $25 Donate $50 Donate $100 Donate Other Or multiply your impact with a monthly recurring donation! Thank you in advance for your support. Bushra Amiwala Democrat for IL-09 Donate Mail checks to: Bushra for Congress PO Box 911 Skokie, IL 60076 Bushra for Congress | PO Box 911 | Skokie, IL 60076 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice