The new representative-elect for Utah’s 4th congressional district, Mia Love becomes a new face of endless possibilities for immigrants in America. Many US news networks refer to her as the first black woman in the Republican Party to hold office in congress, and the first Haitian-American as well.

  Mia Love was born Ludmya Bourdeau on December 6, 1975, to Mary and Jean Maxime Bourdeau in Brooklyn, New York. Both of her Parents emigrated from Haiti in 1973 after being persecuted by the “Tonton Macoute” a secret police force, under direct control of then Haiti President Mr. Duvalier.

  “My parents immigrated to the United States with $10 in their pocket and a belief that the America they had heard about really did exist as the land of opportunity,” Love said during one of her speeches.

  The successful story of Love, daughter of Haitian immigrants, is simply an affirmation of endless opportunities America offers to immigrants, regardless of your background. “Growing up, I had a front row seat to seeing two people work really hard. My dad scrubbed toilets at a private Catholic school for a while, and that was to help me get through school,” Love said to a group at a local church in Utah. The key to success in America, or anywhere else, is to be able to work hard and have a clear vision of what you want to achieve in life.

  Love’s parents wanted what was the best for their kids and they can be proud of their achievements.

  Love made history when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council, making her the first Haitian American elected official in Utah County. After six years of hard work on the council, she was elected mayor with 861 votes to 594 for her opponent Jeff Francon.

  Love lost the 2012 congressional election, but did receive support from Mitt Romney. She was also supported by many other Republican leaders like Paul Ryan and John Boehner.

  Love decided to run again this year and her perseverance paid off.

  Love’s father once told her, “Mia, your mother and I never took a handout. You will not be a burden to society. You will give back.”

She sticks to this philosophy in work an life and has made her political platform about giving back to her community.