The proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, Representative Sharlett Mena (WA-29) is a first-generation Mexican-American, and the first in her family to graduate from college. Her working-class upbringing has informed her perspective and continues to drive her to empower working families through policy and change. She began her career in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Communications Manager and later a Communications Director. Returning to Washington, Sharlett worked in the Washington State Senate and for Washington Governor Jay Inslee. She is a representative in Washington’s state house and sponsored a bill on universal civic duty voting in this year’s legislative session.