Senator Stephanie Chang

Stephanie Gray Chang was born on October 24, 1983, at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She was raised in Canton, Michigan, with her older sister, Josephina. Her parents are Taiwanese Americans who emigrated from Taiwan to work in the auto industry. Chang resides in Detroit with her husband, Sean Gray, and their two young daughters.

Chang holds the distinction of being the first Asian American woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature. She was also the first woman to give birth while serving as a Michigan State Senator. Prior to holding elected office, she worked for approximately a decade as a community organizer in Detroit. Her professional background includes roles with NextGen Climate Michigan, the Center for Progressive Leadership, the James and Grace Lee Boggs School, the Campaign for Justice, and Michigan United. She also served as an assistant to Grace Lee Boggs.

In the community, Chang co-founded and served as past president of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan. She co-founded and serves on the board for Rising Voices of Asian American Families and is a board member of the Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center. Her constituent services have included operating a Neighborhood Service Center to assist residents with issues ranging from tax foreclosure to hosting community events for low-income pregnant women.

Education

Chang attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies. In May 2014, she earned a dual degree consisting of a Master's in Public Policy and a Master's in Social Work.

During her time at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Chang was a David Bohnett Leadership Fellow. Through this fellowship, she interned at the Detroit mayor's office via the David Bohnett Foundation.

Political Experience

Chang is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 3rd District. She previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives representing the 6th District, beginning her term in January 2015. She served two terms in the State House before being elected to the State Senate. In 2018, she won the Democratic primary for Michigan Senate District 1. She currently serves as the Minority Floor Leader in the State Senate.

Legislative Committees and Caucuses

In the Michigan House, Chang served on the Committees on Criminal Justice, Education, Judiciary, Education Reform, Law and Justice, and Natural Resources. She served as Minority Vice Chair for the Committee on Law and Justice. In the Senate,