Katie Hill 

Photo by Alex Edelman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Katie Hill might be a freshman Congresswoman (she just took office in January), but she’s already made a name for herself on Capitol Hill. In November, she became California’s first openly bisexual member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She is now vice-chair on the Committee of Oversight and Reform (chaired by Elijah Cummings), as well as co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. This past month, before the House passed the Equality Act, she provided the Democratic rebuttal to a last-minute attempt by Republicans to stop the bill. “Everyone should have a fair chance to earn a living,” she said, “to go to school, and provide a home for their families without fear of harassment or discrimination.” She’s established herself as part of the new wave of millennial politicians; her grassroots campaign was documented by the HBO news show “Vice,” and she recently spoke openly with CNN about a painful decision to consider an abortion at the age of 18. Before running for office, she was executive director of the non-profit organization People Assisting the Homeless, and from this pulpit helped pass Proposition HHH, a ballot initiative that saw $1.2 billion in funds go to homeless services in Los Angeles. Whether she is defending a woman’s right to choose, speaking out for the homeless, or advocating equal rights for LGBTQ individuals, Hill’s position can be summed in her closing words on the House floor, before the passing of H.R. 5: “I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a new generation of leaders who are the ones to finally pass the Equality Act and fight for true freedom and equality for all.” —RK