Jahana Hayes (CT-5)

Biography

Jahana Hayes, born on March 8, 1973, in Waterbury, Connecticut, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Connecticut's 5th Congressional District since January 3, 2019. She is the first African-American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress. Before her political career, Hayes was a history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, where she was named the 2016 National Teacher of the Year.

Education

• Associate Degree: Naugatuck Valley Community College
• Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education: Southern Connecticut State University
• Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction: University of Saint Joseph
• Sixth-Year Degree in Administrative Leadership: University of Bridgeport

Political Experience

• U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 5th District: Elected in 2018; re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024
• Committee Assignments:
  • House Committee on Education and Workforce
  • House Agriculture Committee
  • Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture
• Legislative Focus: Advocates for equitable access to quality education, affordable healthcare, labor rights, agriculture, veterans' issues, environmental protection, immigration reform, gun violence prevention, social justice, and transportation.

Hayes' journey from a challenging upbringing to a distinguished teaching career and her subsequent election to Congress underscores her commitment to public service and education.