09:00, 20 January 2022
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
Yassamin Ansari is no stranger when it comes to community activism. Raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she learned from her immigrant parents the importance of honesty, hard work, and community service.
As a child, she – along with her brother – tutored refugees who were new to the United States and needed assistance assimilating into the culture. She attended public schools and worked hard to excel through college and graduate school.
As a young woman, she became a senior climate advisor at the United Nations, and spent her career fighting against climate change, while working to clean up the air and water. Recently, she led Covid relief efforts in Phoenix to get essential supplies to families, successfully advocated for civilian oversight of the Phoenix Police Department, and fought family separations.
And now, as a Councilwoman, Yassamin’s goal is to unite her community and fight for the resources her community needs.
[Read More: A 22-old climate activist driving change]
"The work that I did on a national and international level on crisis made me realize the importance of the role the city plays in this issue," she tells Smiley News, when asked her reason for running for City Council.
"I believe if you dedicate your time and efforts at the local level, the changes will happen at the federal level as well.”
Some of her initiatives include, but are not limited to, safe neighborhoods, balanced budgets, clean air, and safe water, strengthening the economy, and creating jobs.
“Our council district has too many things we don’t want, such as crime, dangerous pollution, and not enough of the things we need, like good-paying jobs and law enforcement that makes everyone feel safe,” says Yassamin.
Her main initiative is to create a climate action plan for Phoenix. “I got to work with cities around the country and realized that Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities and has some of the worst air pollutions in the country," she says.
"Every year we are breaking heat records and we have a drought. With all that is going on, we are not doing enough to handle what is happening with the climate."
Yassamin’s climate action plan includes:
1. Set 100% renewable energy target, with a focus on local solar installations and investing in clean grid infrastructure.
2. Expand a clean and affordable bus service with a vision toward transitioning the entire bus fleet to 100% electric.
3. Extend the wetlands habitat. Bringing wildlife, greenery, and recreational opportunities to residents.
4. Bring temperatures down and reduce the heat island effect by planting more trees and creating shade in her community.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women running for office. According to the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics, 37.8% of women of color are in the 116th U.S. Congress.
“Now is the time where more women are running for office and I want to be a part of that change too,” Yassamini said.
To learn more about Yassamin and her initiatives, you can visit her website at www.yassaminforphoenix.com.
