ABOUT AISHA WAHAB
Aisha Wahab is a community leader fighting for solutions to put the American dream within our reach. When she won her seat on Hayward City Council in 2018, Aisha made national headlines as the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States. As Mayor Pro Tempore & City Council Member of Hayward, Aisha has implemented policies that reduce economic inequality, expand homeownership opportunities, support small businesses, and strengthen safety nets for seniors, women, children and working families. For Aisha, working to establish and improve these programs is personal.
Before she could tie her own shoes, Aisha was placed in foster care after her father was brutally murdered and her mother died at an early age. Her experiences inform her understanding of the struggles many silently face. Aisha was fortunate to be adopted by a young, self-employed couple in the Bay Area who taught her the values of hard work, perseverance, and pride in their American identity.
Like so many Bay Area residents, Aisha and her family have struggled with the cost of living. In 2011, her family home was foreclosed on, her parents lost their business, her father’s health began to deteriorate, and Aisha was laid off from her job. After being priced out of Fremont, Aisha and her family moved to Hayward where she began to attend council meetings and advocate for affordable housing.
Aisha ran for Hayward City Council to amplify the voices of renters and build a community that everyone can afford to call home. She was proud to earn the greatest number of votes for the city council in 2018. She continues to work as an advocate and organizer for seniors, women, and children. Aisha is dedicated to addressing issues including housing affordability, civic engagement, education, and economic inequality. Prior to her career in public service, Aisha worked at non-profits, community organizing, and technology.
Aisha previously served as the Chair of the Alameda County Human Relations Commission and a Board Member for the nonprofits Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She has also served as an Alameda County Public Health Commissioner and an organizer and speaker at the Bay Area Women’s March. In 2013, she was selected to join the White House Roundtable of Afghan-American Leaders.
AWARDS and ACCOLADES
Aisha Wahab is recognized as a “Most Influential Woman in Business” by the San Francisco Business Times in 2017.
2021 - Woman of Influence - League of California Cities
2020 - Woman to Reckon With - Alameda County Labor Council
2019 - Local Legislator of the Year - East Bay Young Democrats
2019 - Rising Star Awardee - CA Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus
2019 - Woman of the Year - Assemblymember Bill Quirk
2019 - Local Elected Official of the Year - Fremont Union Newark (FUN) Progressives
2018 - 40 Under 40 - CSU East Bay
2017 - Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business - San Francisco Business Times
2016 - Unity Award Recipient - Senator Bob Wieckowski
2016 - Inspirational Woman of the Year - Assemblymember Kansen Chu
2015 - American Graduate Champion - KLRU
Community Service History
White House Roundtable of Afghan American Leaders (President Obama)
South Asians for America Advisory Council (formerly South Asians for Biden)
Every Single Vote Advisory Board Member
Chair of Alameda County Human Relations Commission
Public Health Commissioner - Alameda County
Women’s March Advisory Committee - San Jose
Abode Service Non-Profit Board Member
Tri-City Volunteers Non-Profit Board Member
Afghan Coalition Non-Profit Board Member
Young Elected Officials - Climate Justice Working Group
Racial Equity Emerging Leaders - Fremont
Homeless & Housing Task Force - Hayward
Hayward Economic Development Committee - Hayward
Hayward Budget & Finance Committee - Hayward
Keep Hayward Clean & Green Task Force Member
East Bay Clean Energy - Hayward Alternate
Community Advocate, Organizer, and Policy Maker
EDUCATION
Kennedy High School - Fremont, CA
Ohlone College - Fremont, CA
San Jose State University - BA in Political Science - San Jose, CA
CSU East Bay - Master’s in Business Administration - Hayward, CA
Doctorate (in progress) - focus on reducing economic inequality
Proud Product of California Public Schools (K-College)
*P.C.: Washington Square Magazine
