19 Mona Das (she/her)

Mona Das was born in 1971 in Munger, India. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was eight months old, and her father’s job took them to eight different states and three countries. Eventually, they settled down in Kent, Washington, where Das still lives. She attended the University of Cincinnati and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, followed by her MBA in Sustainable Business from Pinchot University on Bainbridge Island. She also attended the Women’s Campaign school at Yale University. For the past twenty years, Das owned and operated Moxy Money LLC, which consults on fundraising techniques.

In 2018, Das was elected as a Washington state senator and began her term in January 2019. She served as the Vice Chair of the Senate Housing Affordability & Stability Committee and was a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee, and the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. One of her largest accomplishments during her time in office was passing Senate Bill 5022, which regulated solid waste by banning expanded polystyrene, providing food utensils only upon request, and requiring the use of recycled materials in plastic bottles.

Das chose not to run for re-election, following the call to pursue even greater endeavors. As an Indian American woman who understands the challenges of being part of a marginalized community, she has used her voice and resources to encourage other women to run for office. Aware of the limited resources available to BIPOC women, she offers her support in any way possible, including financial assistance and intentionally hiring BIPOC women on her staff. She has met other BIPOC women who are also challenging the status quo, and together, they are making a difference. This collaboration led to the creation of the film, “Bad Ass Women Doing Kick Ass Shit” (BAWDKAS), which won two Telly Awards, an Impact DOCS Award, and an award from the Accolade Global Film Competition. The film spotlights the stories of amazing women and Nonbinary individuals with narratives similar to her own.

Das’s career has been centered around advocating for BIPOC women, and her work in the PNW has shed light on housing insecurity, the environment, equity and inclusion. Despite being a BIPOC woman in the face of adversity, she has still managed to defy all odds and has worked hard to ensure that BIPOC women are represented in the political field.