Early Life and Education of Rashida Tlaib: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Rashida Tlaib, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Rashida Tlaib is a U.S. Representative from Michigan, serving since 2019. A Democrat, she is the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress. Tlaib is also one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. She represents Michigan's 12th congressional district since 2023. As a politician, she advocates for various progressive causes and has been a vocal voice on issues related to social justice and human rights.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 24, 1976: Rashida Tlaib Born

On July 24, 1976, Rashida Harbi Tlaib was born. She is an American lawyer and politician who has served as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2019.

1976: Birth in Detroit

In 1976, Rashida Tlaib was born in Detroit to working-class Palestinian immigrants.

1994: Graduated from Southwestern High School

In 1994, Rashida Tlaib graduated from Southwestern High School in Detroit.

1998: Bachelor of Arts Degree

In 1998, Rashida Tlaib received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Wayne State University.

1998: Married Fayez Tlaib

In 1998, at the age of 22, Tlaib married Fayez Tlaib. They have two sons. The couple have since divorced.

2004: Internship with Steve Tobocman

In 2004, Rashida Tlaib began her political career with an internship with State Representative Steve Tobocman.

2004: Juris Doctor Degree

In 2004, Rashida Tlaib graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a Juris Doctor degree and also started her political career interning with State Representative Steve Tobocman.

2004: Received Juris Doctor

In 2004, Rashida Tlaib received her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

2007: Admitted to the Bar

In 2007, Rashida Tlaib was admitted to the bar in the state of Michigan.

2007: Hired by Steve Tobocman

In 2007, Steve Tobocman hired Rashida Tlaib to his staff when he became Majority Floor Leader.

2008: Encouraged to Run for Seat

In 2008, Steve Tobocman encouraged Rashida Tlaib to run for his seat, which he was vacating due to term limits. She won the primary election with 44% of the vote and the general election with over 90% of the vote.

2010: Primary Election Victory

In 2010, Rashida Tlaib won the primary election challenge from Jim Czachorowski with 85% of the vote. She then won the general election with 92% of the vote against Republican challenger Darrin Daigle.

2012: Reelection to Michigan House

In 2012, Rashida Tlaib won reelection to the Michigan House in the newly redrawn 6th district, defeating fellow incumbent Maureen Stapleton in the Democratic primary 52%-45% and winning the general election with 92% of the vote.

2014: Lost Primary for Michigan Senate

In 2014, Rashida Tlaib ran for the Michigan Senate, losing to incumbent Senator Virgil Smith Jr. in the Democratic primary, 50%-42%, after being term-limited from running for the Michigan House a fourth time.

August 2016: Protested a speech by Trump

In August 2016, Tlaib protested a speech Trump gave at Cobo Center and was ejected from the venue.

July 16, 2018: Fundraising and Appearance on Rebel HQ

As of July 16, 2018, Rashida Tlaib had raised $893,030 in funds. As a member of the Justice Democrats, she made a guest appearance on Rebel HQ of The Young Turks (TYT).

September 2018: Expressed belief that "my Allah is She"

In September 2018, The New York Times reported that Tlaib walked into her family's mosque to express her gratitude for the opportunity to run for Congress, articulating a belief that "my Allah is She".

November 2018: Election to Congress

In November 2018, Rashida Tlaib became the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected to Congress.

2018: Candidacy for U.S. House

In 2018, Rashida Tlaib announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 13th congressional district.

2018: Won Democratic Nomination

In 2018, Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic nomination and the general election for the United States House of Representatives in Michigan's 13th congressional district.

2018: Referred to as a single mother

In 2018, a campaign spokesperson referred to Tlaib as a single mother, after she had divorced.

January 3, 2019: Took Congressional Oath of Office

On January 3, 2019, Rashida Tlaib took the congressional oath of office, swearing in on an English-language translation of the Quran. She also wore a traditional embroidered Arab dress, thawb, inspiring the #TweetYourThobe social media trend.

August 15, 2019: Denied Entry to Israel

On August 15, 2019, Israel announced that Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar would be denied entry into the country. After initially being granted permission to visit relatives in the West Bank, Tlaib declined the visit under "oppressive conditions".

November 14, 2019: House Ethics Committee Investigation

On November 14, 2019, the House Ethics Committee announced that it was investigating whether Rashida Tlaib used congressional campaign money for personal expenses.

2019: Impeachment Vote

In 2019, Rashida Tlaib voted to impeach President Donald Trump.

August 2020: Directed to Reimburse Campaign

In August 2020, the House Ethics Committee directed Rashida Tlaib to reimburse her campaign $10,800 for personal expenses.

2020: Primary Win Against Brenda Jones

In 2020, Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic primary against Brenda Jones, 66%-34%, spending over $2,000,000 in campaign funds.

2021: Second Impeachment Vote

In 2021, Rashida Tlaib voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time.

2022: Reelection in Michigan's 12th District

In 2022, Rashida Tlaib won reelection in Michigan's newly drawn 12th congressional district, securing the Democratic primary with 64% of the vote and the general election with 71%.

2024: Won Third Term in Congress

In 2024, Rashida Tlaib won a third term in Congress with over 69% of the vote, defeating Republican nominee James Hooper, Green Party nominee Brenda K. Sanders, and Working Class Party nominee Gary Walkowicz.