| A resident of downtown Herndon, Irene Shin has been involved in public service in Virginia since 2014. Irene currently works as Executive Director of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, a nonprofit organization that organizes communities to increase civic education and engagement across the Commonwealth.
Previously, Irene has worked with former Supervisor John Foust, now-Vice President Kamala Harris, and spent many years in community and political organizing, as well as a number of nonprofits to recruit and support Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and women to run for office.
Irene is the daughter of Korean immigrants, and was raised in Burbank, California. Her father is a small business owner, and her mother is a homemaker and a home caretaker for those with health problems who require assistance to live independently.
Irene's family story is similar to many in the 8th District. She went to a state university on a scholarship and paid her way through college by waiting tables.
When Irene was 16, her father had a serious health problem. This was before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and her family did not have health insurance. After meeting obstacle after obstacle and an unaffordable health care system that was impossible to navigate, Irene's father was forced to fly to Korea to seek treatment. After landing in Seoul, he was given immediate care, was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and the next morning was in life-saving surgery. This kind of immediate care is still unavailable to many in Virginia.
Irene knows how the problems with our healthcare system affect families. When she first ran for office in 2021, protecting and expanding our healthcare system was her top priority.
In the face of the pandemic, Irene knew that the Commonwealth had more progress to be made. She believes we need to protect and expand the Affordable Healthcare System in Virginia, protect families by passing Universal Pre-K, Universal Paid Sick Leave, Universal Paid Family Medical Leave, and reduce the cost of prescription drugs.
As a Delegate, Irene worked diligently to make our government work better for families across the 8th District and across our Commonwealth. Whether it is fighting for utility disconnection protections for our most vulnerable, securing greater support and access to resources for Virginians living with intellectual disabilities, cracking down on exploitative profiteering within our correctional system, or ending inhumane animal testing and breeding practices - Irene has stood up for her beliefs, and her constituents.
Irene is dedicated to making sure that everyone in Virginia can live in dignity, and that the services our government provides are run safely, efficiently, and effectively. |