Biography
Lateefah Aaliyah Simon, born on January 29, 1977, in San Francisco, California, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving California's 12th Congressional District since January 3, 2025. This district encompasses parts of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and San Leandro.
Simon began her advocacy career at 16 with the Young Women's Freedom Center, becoming its Executive Director at 19. In 2003, at 26, she became the youngest woman to receive a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship. She later led the creation of the "Back on Track" program under then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, focusing on reducing recidivism among young offenders.
In 2016, Simon was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors, serving as president from 2020 to 2024. She also served on the California State University Board of Trustees and held leadership roles at the Akonadi Foundation and the MeadowFund.
In 2024, Simon was elected to Congress, succeeding Barbara Lee. She is the first Muslim member of Congress from California and the first known to be congenitally blind in both eyes.
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Mills College
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Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco
Political Experience
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Executive Director, Young Women's Freedom Center
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Director, "Back on Track" program under San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris
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Executive Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
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Program Director, Rosenberg Foundation
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President, Akonadi Foundation
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President, MeadowFund
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Member, California State University Board of Trustees
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Board Member and President, Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors
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U.S. Representative, California's 12th Congressional District
In Congress, Simon focuses on housing affordability, mental health, homelessness, climate resilience, women's rights, and immigrant communities. She serves as a Deputy Whip for Policy, Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic Women's Caucus.
