Feb 8, 2025 Story by: Editor
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon proudly serves California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. This district, known for its diversity, includes communities in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and San Leandro.
With over 30 years of experience in advocacy, organizing, and philanthropy, Congresswoman Simon has been a prominent leader in the Bay Area. In Congress, she is committed to addressing key issues such as housing affordability, mental health and homelessness, lowering costs for working families, enhancing climate resilience, safeguarding women’s rights, and advocating for immigrant communities.
She holds leadership roles as a Deputy Whip for Policy, a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and a member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Early Advocacy and Leadership
Congresswoman Simon’s journey began in her late teens when she joined the Young Women’s Freedom Center, where she worked with women and girls navigating the criminal justice and foster care systems. As a young HIV test counselor and community organizer, she witnessed the consequences of systemic inequities, fueling her lifelong commitment to social justice. At just 19 years old, she became the youngest Executive Director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center, where she developed transformative programs aimed at reducing recidivism by providing education, job training, and leadership opportunities.
Her impact on criminal justice reform expanded when she partnered with then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to lead the Back on Track program. This nationally recognized initiative provided nonviolent first-time offenders with alternatives to incarceration, reducing recidivism and creating second chances for participants.
A Career Rooted in Advocacy
Throughout her career, Congresswoman Simon has led numerous organizations dedicated to civil rights and community empowerment. As Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, she spearheaded initiatives that expanded legal representation for migrants, asylum seekers, and formerly incarcerated individuals while advancing racial and economic equity through policy advocacy and litigation.
Her work in philanthropy includes leadership roles at the Rosenberg Foundation, the Akonadi Foundation, and the Meadow Fund, where she managed multi-million-dollar initiatives to uplift youth, promote systemic accountability, and foster community leadership development.
In 2016, she was appointed by then-Governor Jerry Brown to the Board of Trustees for the California State University system, the largest public university system in the U.S. Additionally, from 2016 to 2024, she served on the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) Board, playing a critical role in enhancing public safety, expanding accessibility, and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as Board President from 2020 to 2024. During her tenure, she collaborated with community leaders and law enforcement to implement progressive safety reforms, including the launch of BART’s Ambassador Program—a nationally recognized initiative that integrates unarmed ambassadors and crisis intervention specialists to improve safety for transit riders.
Beyond these roles, Congresswoman Simon has been an active member of several community boards, including the San Francisco Foundation, the Rosenberg Foundation, the Akonadi Foundation, the Women’s Foundation of California, the Alliance for Girls Advisory Committee, and At The Crossroads. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the MacArthur ‘Genius’ Fellowship, the John F. Kennedy Frontier Leadership Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and recognition as California Woman of the Year.
Commitment to Legislative Action
In Congress, she remains dedicated to policies that advance affordable housing, public transportation, reproductive rights, climate justice, disability rights, and public safety reform. Her experiences as a single mother, disability advocate, and longtime community leader continue to shape her legislative priorities, ensuring a focus on justice and equity.
Personal Life and Education
Congresswoman Simon is a proud mother of two daughters. Her eldest, a graduate of Howard University School of Law, serves as a prosecutor and resides in the DMV area with her husband and their newborn. Her youngest daughter is currently in middle school and thriving. She holds a degree in Public Policy from Mills College (now Northeastern University) and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. Source: Simon House
