U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-13th District) will address the Arab-American Law Student Association at the Detroit Mercy School of Law from 5-7 p.m. April 15.
Tlaib will be part of the first event the new group is hosting, titled “Arab-American Woman’s Rise to Congress.”
Earlier this year, Tlaib became one of the first two Muslim women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, along with Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
In 2008, she became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature. The student group says Tlaib will share her personal story and deliver a speech encouraging all minorities alike.
According to the AALSA mission statement, the student organization is committed to supporting individuals from all cultural backgrounds while promoting Arab-American culture and heritage, thus adding to the diversity of the campus, as well as increasing Arab-American representation throughout the legal community.
“There’s no better way to represent our mission statement than to host Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib,” said Ali Berro, the organization’s secretary. “She has blazed a path for Arab-American women and inspired all of us to be leaders and work to make an impact on our community.”
Group President Nicole Miller said they wanted to make their inaugural event a memorable one.
“For our first event, we really wanted it to be unforgettable,” she said. “We needed someone that not only would motivate us students, but a whole legal community and beyond.”
Amer Zahr, an international comedian, writer, political activist and adjunct professor at Detroit Mercy Law, will be the master of ceremonies. Zahr also is an advisor to the organization.
The evening is free, and open to the public. It will be held at the University’s Riverfront Campus, 651 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit.