Sharice Davids

Sharice Davids is a trailblazing American politician, attorney, and former mixed martial artist who has made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ Native American elected to the U.S. Congress. Born on May 22, 1980, in Frankfurt, Germany, she is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Raised by a single mother who served in the U.S. Army, Davids attended Leavenworth High School, later earning a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School. Before her congressional career, she worked in economic development on Native American reservations, helping tribes create programs and initiatives for growth .

Elected to represent Kansas’s 3rd Congressional District in 2018, Davids became one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. Congress, alongside Deb Haaland of New Mexico. She is also the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Kansas . As a member of the Democratic Party, Davids has focused on issues such as healthcare access, economic development, and civil rights. She serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure and Agriculture Committees, and is the co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus .

One of her notable quotes is, "We are all connected, and we all have a responsibility to lift each other up," emphasizing her commitment to community and collective well-being. Another is, "Don't wait for someone else to create change. Be the change you want to see in the world," reflecting her proactive approach to leadership . Additionally, Davids has authored a children's book, Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman, aiming to inspire young readers, especially those from Native and LGBTQ+ communities, to find and use their voices .