Ayanna Pressley
DemocratU.S. Representative, MA-7| Age | 52 (b. 1974-02-03) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 2019-01-03 (~7 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | Black / African American |
| Religion | Christian (Baptist background; describes herself as a 'woman of faith' who grew up in the church; granddaughter of a Baptist preacher) |
| Education | Graduated from Francis W. Parker School (Chicago). Attended Boston University (College of General Studies, 1992-1994; later Metropolitan College) but withdrew to work full-time and support her mother; did not earn an undergraduate degree. Received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Boston University (2021) and an honorary doctorate from Simmons University (2021). |
| Prior occupation | Congressional and Senate staffer / political aide. District/constituency staff for Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and senior aide and political director for Sen. John Kerry. Later at-large Boston City Council member. |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Marital status | Married — Conan Harris |
| Children | 0 |
| Residence | Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts |
Pending research: languages · notable relatives · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2018 |
| Ideology | Progressive Democrat; member of 'The Squad' and the Congressional Progressive Caucus; considered among the most liberal members of the U.S. House. |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $-6,510,000–$140,000 (2023) · estimate
No holdings recorded yet (from official Financial Disclosure filings).
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — Arrest for Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding at Supreme Court Abortion Rights Protest
Pressley was among 17 members of Congress (35 total) arrested outside the U.S. Supreme Court during a planned civil disobedience protest against the Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. She was charged under DC Code § 22-1307 (crowding, obstructing or incommoding) — a minor infraction — and resolved the matter by paying a $50 fine. No criminal charge was filed and no further formal action was taken.