Bushra Amiwala
OwnTrail
This Trailblazers series takes a look at the pivotal milestones that make up the life trails of inspiring women from a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences. We all know what social media profiles display about the end results women have achieved. This series is intended to take a deeper, more authentic look at the journeys they have taken to get there.
Bushra Amiwala is a community organizer, speaker, Google sales associate, and the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States, serving on the Skokie School Board. As a first-generation child of Pakistani immigrants, Bushra has a passion for supporting underrepresented communities and bridging divides between opposing belief systems. In an effort to build a compassionate, politically-engaged generation of trailblazers, she founded the Amiwala Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to support, uplift, and inspire young people.
After learning more about the trail that Bushra has blazed, I got the chance to ask her some questions.
Bastian: The first time you ran for political office you didn’t win. How did you deal with that disappointment, and what gave you the confidence to run again?
Amiwala: It is incredibly challenging to look at the positives in a situation like losing an election for public office—such as being able to register thousands of people to vote, galvanizing tons of first time voters, and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers. However, when I lost, all I could focus on was the fact that I didn’t get elected. I honestly didn’t know how to deal with the disappointment, but I read and responded to every positive message I received before my election. It wasn’t until I got breakfast with the person I ran against, when he encouraged me to run for public office again. He saw leadership ability and potential in me that I didn’t see in myself after I lost. My parents, family and mentors gave me the confidence I needed to get involved again.
Bastian: As a young Muslim woman who is blazing trails, you’ve been a first and an only on several occasions. What advice do you have for other people that aspire to take on roles in spaces where their identities aren’t represented?
Amiwala: I always say it is incredibly challenging for anyone to get involved in a space where they don’t see anyone who looks like them represented there. I tell people that they have the power to be the change you want to see in the world. A dear mentor once told me, “avoid being a token, be the connector,” and that is the best way to uplift and inspire others in a field where there is no representation. As exciting as it is to be the first in many spaces, it is important to recognize the many other women who came before me, that took turns shattering the glass ceiling, so someone like me could step up to the plate. I am grateful for that.
Bastian: How do you manage your time, being a full-time Google employee, board of education member and running a foundation?
Amiwala: I use a planner and the calendar app is my favorite thing. I genuinely love everything I put time into and am grateful for all of the opportunities that have presented themselves to me, but also recognize it is all due to my hard work, resilience and grit. Fortunately, my job at Google is predominantly between the hours of 9-5, and my elected office is a part-time volunteer role, where I have to attend a couple board meetings a month. Additionally, my job is incredible and I thoroughly enjoy holding public office. I have very supportive managers who always empower me to continue to do the great work I am doing outside of work, and my fellow board members are very respectful of everyone’s day job. Running a foundation, speaking at events and companies is very enjoyable to me and I try to fit that in during the smidge of free time I have left. Networking is also very important to me and I love meeting new people and building new connections.
Bastian: You’re born and raised in Chicago and still live, work and serve in the area. What about the midwest would you like people, especially young people, to know as they think about where to build their careers and legacies?
Amiwala: My favorite thing about Chicago is that it is a big city, but the people have the midwestern vibe and hospitality which is truly the best of both worlds. What I love about serving in this community is that all of the elected officials know one another, have strong relationships with each other, and I have come to know many of them quite well on a personal level too. It is so surreal to me to think that all of my local elected officials are friends and mentors of mine, which I am incredibly grateful for. Young people should always think about their network when building out their career and legacy, because the people who you surround yourself with, are a reflection of you, both personally and professionally.
Bastian: You’ve accomplished so much – what do you aspire to next?
Amiwala: There is a documentary that just came out about me on Hulu called Our America: Women Forward. I just signed a book deal and will be a published author by July 2021. I definitely see myself running for higher public office one day and hope to be in Congress.
