Grace Meng was born on October 1st, 1975, in Queens, New York. The first time Meng ran for the New York Assembly, she was taken off the ballot because Ellen Young challenged her residency status, however, determined and undeterred, she won the next two times, becoming the first Asian American elected to the United States Congress from New York. She has been serving as the U.S. representative for New York’s 6th congressional district since 2013. In Congress, Meng has sponsored and voted in favor of many bills that advocate for the rights of people of color, women, and children. She has voted for bills like the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, which states that a non-U.S. citizen can’t become a U.S. citizen if they have faced charges for domestic violence or child abuse, and other bills like the Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025, which provides financial assistance for states getting rid of nutria, a large rodent and for damages they have done. Most notably, Ms. Meng sponsored her own bill called "Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023." This bill helps provide menstrual products to lower income individuals by requiring the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to give them out as well as requiring free sanitary napkins and tampons in federal and state facilities. The bill also created grant programs for some schools to provide sanitary napkins and tampons for the students. Grace Meng is an inspirational figure because she devotes her life to championing underrepresented individuals through the many bills she has sponsored. As her website says, “At every turn, Grace has fought to expand opportunities for communities of color, young people, families, small businesses and women.” (menghouse.gov) As a mother and a woman of color, Grace fought hard to earn her political platform and is now using it to help lend a voice to others who need support.

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