Pramila Jayapal was born and raised in India. She moved to the U.S. when she was 16, in search of education and opportunity. She is now a successful woman leader with an extensive background in social justice and immigration advocacy.

Washington State Senate – Washington’s 37th District – Open Seat. If elected, Pramila would be the only woman of color serving in the Washington State Senate.

In 2001, Pramila founded OneAmerica, Washington State’s largest immigrant advocacy organization, and she served as Executive Director for almost eleven years.

She is a Distinguished Taconic Fellow at the Center for Community Change and co-chairs We Belong Together, a national campaign to engage women in immigration reform.

In 2013, Pramila was recognized as a White House Champion of Change.

Additionally, Pramila is the author of Pilgrimage: One Woman's Return to a Changing India.

Pramila attained a BA in English from Georgetown University and MBA in Marketing and Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University.