Bushra Amiwala represents a growing trend of 20-something college students running for public office. When she put in her ballot to run for the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2017, she was only 19 years old running against a 16 year incumbent. After coming in second in that three-person race, she pushed forward with another campaign. This time, a successful run for a position on District 73.5 Board of Education, where she currently serves as the youngest on a seven-member board.
While her move may have been a catalyst for many young folks looking for someone their age to emulate, the current surge of growing national support for women in positions of leadership also has the potential to catapult careers. Coupled with a growing emphasis on local elections, now is the time for young people to become involved in their local governments, Amiwala says.
“There are many more barriers in place that prevent young people from getting involved,” Amiwala explains. “Everything from the pushback that young people get when they want to get involved, being told constantly that they’re too young, that their opinions don’t matter, that they should wait their turn.”
“Doing things in spite of your insecurities makes that thing all the more impressive,” says Amiwala. “That’s sort of my tagline because I think without risk success is not possible.”
“It is finally time that we reclaim our voices,” she says. “Everything is at stake.” v
