What does it mean to make history—and then use your seat at the table to help others be heard?

In Season 4, Episode 8 of Not Your Average Neighbor, Ann sits down with Angel Ramirez, Iowa State Representative for House District 78 in Cedar Rapids and the first Latina ever elected to the Iowa State Legislature.

Born in California and raised in Arizona, Angel came to Cedar Rapids as a first-generation college student at Coe College. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with Iowa and discover a community that would ultimately become home.

Angel shares how her experiences in advocacy, community organizing, and working with young people inspired her to enter public service. She also talks about her work with Kids First Law Center, where she helps bring restorative justice and conflict-resolution practices into local schools.

The conversation dives into Angel’s journey from community advocate to elected representative, the significance of becoming Iowa’s first Latina state legislator, and what she learned during her first term.

Angel and Ann also discuss why representation matters, the importance of working-class voices in government, political fatigue among younger generations, and why voting is only the beginning of civic participation.

One of Angel’s biggest messages?

Young people aren’t just our future—they’re our now.

Whether you’re deeply involved in politics or simply wondering if your voice can make a difference, this episode is a reminder that meaningful change starts when ordinary people choose to show up for their communities.

In This Episode

– How Angel found her home in Cedar Rapids

– Her journey as a first-generation college student

– Advocacy, community organizing, and public service

– Restorative justice and conflict resolution in local schools

– Why Agel decided to run for office

– Becoming Iowa’s first Latina state legislator

– What she learned during her first term

– Why working-class representation matters

– Political fatigue versus political apathy

– Why young voices belong at the table

– The importance of voting and local elections

– How people can become more involved in their communities

About Angel Ramirez

Angel Ramirez represents House District 78 in the Iowa House of Representatives and made history as the first Latina elected to the Iowa State Legislature.

Her roots are in advocacy, relationship-building, and community organizing. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Our Future, a nonprofit fellowship program supporting emerging young public service leaders in Iowa. She also serves on the board of Advocates for Social Justice and works at Kids First Law Center as a Youth Peace Project Facilitator.

Angel advocates for issues including civil rights protections, immigrant rights, public education, environmental justice, criminal justice reform, and affordability.

Listen & Watch

🎥 Watch on YouTube or Spotify

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify

If this conversation resonates with you, help our neighborhood grow by liking, following, sharing, and leaving a comment.

And if you know a neighbor who’s making a difference, we’d love to hear their story.

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