Research Catalog

Title

This is what America looks like : my journey from refugee to Congresswoman / Ilhan Omar ; with Rebecca Paley.

Author

Omar, Ilhan, 1981-

Publication

New York, NY : Dey St., an imprint of William Morrow, [2020]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

Paley, Rebecca,

Description

275 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations; 22 cm

Summary

• "An intimate and rousing memoir by progressive trailblazer Ilhan Omar-the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women, elected to Congress. Ilhan Omar was only eight years old when war broke out in Somalia. The youngest of seven children, her mother had died while Ilhan was still a little girl. She was being raised by her father and grandfather when armed gunmen attacked their compound and the family decided to flee Mogadishu. They ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya, where Ilhan says she came to understand the deep meaning of hunger and death. Four years later, after a painstaking vetting process, her family achieved refugee status and arrived in Arlington, Virginia. Aged twelve, penniless, speaking only Somali and having missed out on years of schooling, Ilhan rolled up her sleeves, determined to find her American dream. Faced with the many challenges of being an immigrant and a refugee, she questioned stereotypes and built bridges with her classmates and in her community. In under two decades she became a grassroots organizer, graduated from college and was elected to congress with a record-breaking turnout by the people of Minnesota-ready to keep pushing boundaries and restore moral clarity in Washington D.C.A beacon of positivity in dark times, Congresswoman Omar has weathered many political storms and yet maintained her signature grace, wit and love of country-all the while speaking up for her beliefs. Similarly, in chronicling her remarkable personal journey, Ilhan is both lyrical and unsentimental, and her irrepressible spirit, patriotism, friendship and faith are visible on every page. As a result, This is What America Looks Like is both the inspiring coming of age story of a refugee and a multidimensional tale of the hopes and aspirations, disappointments and failures, successes, sacrifices and surprises, of a devoted public servant with unshakable faith in the promise of America"--
• Omar is the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Only eight years old when war broke out in Somalia, her family fled after armed gunmen attacked their compound and ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya. After a painstaking vetting process, her family achieved refugee status and arrived in Arlington, Virginia. At twelve Ilhan was determined to find her American dream. She became a grassroots organizer, graduated from college and was elected to Congress with a record-breaking turnout by the people of Minnesota. In chronicling her personal journey, Omar's irrepressible spirit, patriotism, friendship and faith are visible on every page. -- adapted from jacket

Alternative Title

My journey from refugee to Congresswoman

Subjects

• United States
• Muslims
• Somali Americans
• Legislators
• Women legislators
• Biographies
• Since 2017
• Minnesota
• Politics and government
• United States > Politics and government > 2017-
• Muslims > United States > Biography
• Somali Americans > Minnesota > Biography
• African American women legislators > Biography
• Legislators > United States > Biography
• Women legislators > United States > Biography
• United States > Congress > House > Biography
• Omar, Ilhan, 1981-

Genre/Form

Biographies.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references.

Contents

Fighter -- War -- When the mouth of the shark is safer than home -- Refugee -- American dream -- Hello and shut up -- Minnesota nice -- Settling down -- Blessings -- Early midlife crisis -- Education -- Return -- Politics -- City hall -- Running -- You get what you organize for -- America's hope and the president's nightmare -- Walking in like a white man -- Running again -- The world belongs to those who show up.

Call Number

Sc D 21-526

ISBN

• 9780062954213
• 0062954210
• 9780062954220
• 0062954229
• 9780062954237 (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

2020008108

OCLC

1113243303

Author

Omar, Ilhan, 1981- author.

Title

This is what America looks like : my journey from refugee to Congresswoman / Ilhan Omar ; with Rebecca Paley.

Publisher

New York, NY : Dey St., an imprint of William Morrow, [2020]

Edition

First edition.

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Local Note

Schomburg copy with dust jacket.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Local Subject

Black author.

Chronological Term

Since 2017

Added Author

Paley, Rebecca, author.

Other Form:

Online version: Omar, Ilhan. This is what America looks like. First edition. New York : Dey Street, [2020] 9780062954237 (DLC) 2020008109

Research Call Number

Sc D 21-526

JFD 21-397