Athena Salman
Athena Salman (born 1989) is an American politician and activist serving as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 8th district since 2017.
Athena Salman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2017 Serving with Melody Hernandez | |
| Preceded by | Juan Mendez |
| Constituency | 26th district (2017–2023) 8th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1989 (age 33–34) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Education | Arizona State University (BA) |
Early life and education edit
Athena Salman was born in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] Her family has roots in Mexico, Germany, and the West Bank.[2][3] Salman led community service projects during her youth. In college, she was an organizing intern and senior fellow with the Arizona Students’ Association. She graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with degrees in economics and political science.[4]
Career edit
In 2016, Salman defeated incumbent Celeste Plumlee and Michael Martinez in the District 26 Democratic primary. Salman defeated Republican Steven Adkins and Green party candidate Cara Trujillo in the general election.[4][5] In 2018, Salman defeated Republican Ray Speakman in the general election.[6] In both elections, Salman ran as a Clean Election Candidate and received no PAC contributions.
Salman, an atheist, made national headlines during her first legislative session when she gave a humanist prayer on the House floor, which was ruled out of order by the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives.[7]
In 2018, Salman's legislation to provide unlimited feminine hygiene products to incarcerated women was heard in an all-male committee.[8] As a result, a viral campaign to pressure immediate change ensued leading to a policy change by the Arizona Department of Corrections that increased the allotment of pads and for the first time included tampons.[9][10]
Salman was one of nine women to come forward with sexual harassment allegations against former Arizona House of Representatives member Don Shooter, eventually leading to his expulsion.[11]
Salman supported Proposition 205 in 2016, which would legalize recreational use of marijuana for those 21 and older.[12] Salman also supports public education, immigration reform, reproductive rights and LGBTQ equality.[13]
Recognition edit
Salman was recognized as 2018 Best Politician by Phoenix New Times[14] and named by The Arizona Republic's top ten newsmakers to watch in 2019.[13] Salman and state senator Juan Mendez received Phoenix New Time's 2017 Best Power Couple.[15] She was also awarded the City of Tempe's MLK Diversity Award in 2016.[16]
References edit
- ^ Opinion, Guest (May 24, 2016). "Meet my daughter: MLK Diversity Award recipient running for House of Representatives". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ . Stand for Children. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Athena Salman". New American Leaders. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Athena Salman Ballotpedia, January 25, 2019, retrieved January 25, 2019
- ^ (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2018 General Election November 6, 2018" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 17. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Nichols, John (April 21, 2017). "Arizona Legislator Gave an Invocation that Didn't Mention God. You Won't Believe What Happened Next". thenation.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Jenkins, Jimmy (February 5, 2018). "'Pads And Tampons And The Problems With Periods:' All-Male Committee Hears Arizona Bill On Feminine Hygiene Products In Prison". kjzz.org. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Vera, Amir (February 13, 2018). "Why women in Arizona are sending a state representative pads and tampons". cnn.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ White, Kaila (February 21, 2018). "Arizona prisons will now give female inmates free tampons". azcentral.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (February 2, 2018). "GOP lawmaker expelled from Arizona House after report finds pattern of sexual harassment". cnn.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ "District 26 candidates define their positions at debate". Azcentral.com. October 28, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "Top Ten Newsmakers You'll Want to Watch in 2019". Azcentral.com. October 28, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Best Politician – Athena Salman, June 15, 2018, retrieved January 25, 2019
- ^ Best Power Couple – Juan Mendez and Athena Salman, June 15, 2017, retrieved January 25, 2019
- ^ Past City of Tempe MLK Diversity Award Winners, retrieved January 25, 2019
External links edit
- Official page at the Arizona State Legislature
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Biography at Ballotpedia
- Financial information (state office) at OpenSecrets