Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii

Senator Mazie Hirono spent much of her childhood on her grandparents' rice farm. Because of her dad's alcoholism and gambling, her family had little stability or money. Looking for a better life, Senator Hirono's mother secretly took her and her brother and immigrated to Hawaii. There, Senator Hirono learned to speak English, excelled in school, and eventually began her life in public service. 

Senator Hirono is the first Asian-American female, Buddhist, and Japan-born U.S. senator. She is an advocate for immigrants, women, and health care rights. She primarily sponsors bills in the following issue areas: armed forces and national security, health, education, and civil rights and liberties/minority issues. She has protected Native Hawaiian education programs and is a recognized advocated for quality early education. In addition, she has sponsored legislation to support Hawaii's critical tourism industry to create jobs and promoted clean energy use by the military. 

She received recognition for her personal speech on why health care matters during Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s third attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the past, Senator Hirono has called for the resignation of politicians with sexual harassment and assault allegations and made it a point to ask judicial nominees whether or not they have a history of sexual assault or harassment. Her motivations and political priorities are rooted in her personal experiences as an immigrant woman of color, which is apparent in her emotional appeal to keep the ACA.