On March 20, Lauren Underwood became the first woman to receive a nomination from her party in the history of her district when she won the Democratic primary in the 14th Congressional District of Illinois.
As she looks ahead to the forthcoming general elections this November, here are 15 facts about the youngest Black women running for Congress in 2018.
01
Lauren Underwood
She worked as Senior Health Advisor for the Department Of Health & Human Services under the Obama Administration and helped implement President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
02
Lauren Underwood
She is 31 years old.
03
Lauren Underwood
On March 20, she beat out six middle-aged white men in a strongly Republican, predominantly white district to win the Democratic Primary in the 14th District of Illinois.
04
Lauren Underwood
Should she win the 2018 general mid-term elections this November, she will become the first woman and 5th Democrat to win the seat in the district’s 145-year history.
05
Lauren Underwood
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan, as well as two Master’s degrees in Nursing /Public Health Nursing & Health Policy from Johns Hopkins University.
06
Lauren Underwood
Her passion for championing affordable health care solutions stems from her own lifelong battle with a heart disease known as supraventricular tachycardia.
07
Lauren Underwood
In addition to affordable healthcare, her platform also includes initiatives tied to supporting public education, reproductive health services, affordable child care, paid family leave and improving local infrastructure in the district.
08
Lauren Underwood
She is originally from Naperville, IL.
09
Lauren Underwood
She is the first woman candidate in the district’s history to receive a nomination from her party.
10
Lauren Underwood
She is a registered nurse.
11
Lauren Underwood
She currently works as the Senior Director of Strategy & Regulatory Affairs at Next Level Health in Illinois.
12
Lauren Underwood
13
Lauren Underwood
She is a Girl Scouts alumn.
14
Lauren Underwood
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
15
Lauren Underwood
On November 8, 2018, she will face off against Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren in the general mid-term election.
