How an intern for Nancy Pelosi became the youngest female member of Congress

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From tutoring refugees in Arizona to working in the office of the UN Secretary-General, Yassamin Ansari’s rapid ascent is remarkable. Now representing Arizona's 3rd district, she has moved from local city council leadership to the halls of Congress, navigating complex international relations and climate policy along the way.

Born in Seattle in 1992 to parents who fled Iran following the Islamic Revolution, Yassamin Ansari’s political trajectory began with grassroots activism. During her time at Scottsdale's Chaparral High School, she aided Barack Obama's 2008 presidential bid and tutored Somali refugees alongside her mother. After earning an international relations degree from Stanford University and interning for Nancy Pelosi, she entered the global stage working for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his successor, António Guterres.

Ansari’s legislative career began in Phoenix, where she was elected to the City Council in 2021. She became the youngest individual ever chosen for that council, whilst also being Arizona's first Iranian American to hold public office. During her tenure, she focused on climate resilience, creating an Office of Heat Response and Mitigation to address urban heat through tree planting and pavement reduction. She resigned her council seat on March 28, 2024, to pursue federal office.

In the 2024 election for Arizona's 3rd congressional district, Ansari secured a decisive victory, winning nearly 71% of the vote. Her rise has been marked by significant fundraising, raising over $1.35 million in total, including more than $325,000 in the first quarter of 2024 alone. As a member of Congress, she has engaged in high-stakes diplomacy and policy, including investigating conditions in El Salvador and navigating complex stances on international conflicts and military aid.

Despite her progressive credentials, Ansari has maintained nuanced positions on international law. In January 2025, she was among a minority of House Democrats to vote for legislation rebuking the International Criminal Court regarding arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. Her financial disclosures from October 2023 estimated her assets to be worth between $2.5 million and $8.3 million, including two properties in downtown Phoenix.

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