Senator Kesha Hinsdale Contact information

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Kesha Ram Hinsdale was born on August 2, 1986, in Santa Monica, California. She grew up in Los Angeles, where her parents ran an Irish pub. Her diverse heritage includes a Jewish mother and a Hindu father. Kesha’s great-great-grandfather, Sir Ganga Ram, was a renowned engineer and philanthropist in British India, and her aunt, Shreela Flather, is a life peer in the British House of Lords.

Kesha graduated from Santa Monica High School in 2004 and moved to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont. She graduated magna cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in natural resource planning and a Bachelor of Arts in political science. During her time at the university, she served as student body president and was awarded a Truman Scholarship. Kesha later earned a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2018.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale began her political career at a young age. In 2008, she was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, representing the Chittenden 6-4 District. She served in the House from 2009 to 2016, making history as the youngest member of the House of Representatives and the youngest state legislator in the country at that time. During her tenure, she focused on issues such as housing, economic development, and social justice.

In 2020, Kesha was elected to the Vermont Senate, becoming the first woman of color to serve in the State Senate. She represents the Chittenden-Southeast District and chairs the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Justice Oversight Committee.

Beyond her legislative work, Kesha has been a strong advocate for marginalized communities, particularly people of color and immigrants in Vermont. She has served as the legal director for Women Helping Battered Women (now known as Steps to End Domestic Violence) and as the public engagement specialist for the Burlington Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO). Kesha has also been involved with various organizations, including Emerge Vermont, the Main Street Alliance of Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Regenerative Food Network, and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

In addition to her advocacy work, Kesha teaches Structural Inequality and Environmental Justice at Vermont Law & Graduate School. She has also served as co-chair of the Vermont Attorney General’s Immigration Task Force.

Personal Life

Kesha Ram Hinsdale lives in Shelburne, Vermont, with her husband, Jacob Hinsdale, and their daughter, Mira. Her commitment to public service and advocacy continues to inspire many in her community and beyond.