Opinion: What running for office means to me

Shadia Martini, a candidate for Michigan House District 54, reflects on her journey from Aleppo, Syria to Michigan and her decision to run for office.

I am Shadia Martini, a daughter of Syria and a proud citizen of America. 

I was born in 1965 in Aleppo, Syria, a city steeped in rich history and culture. My mother was an oral surgeon and my father was an ophthalmologist. Together, they instilled in me the values of hard work, education, and empathy. 

In 1946, Syria gained its independence after a period under French rule. However, this newfound freedom was short-lived. By 1970, five years after my birth, Hafez al-Assad orchestrated a major coup and seized the presidency. In 1978, the people of Syria realized al-Asaad was not the leader he claimed to be. A long period of brutality began in Syria, marking the end of democracy. 

At 13, I witnessed battles in the streets of Aleppo. My school, the American School in Aleppo, was occupied by the army. Tanks were stationed in our yard, and soldiers patrolled the campus. The army imposed a curfew and conducted searches of every apartment and house in Aleppo, looking for banned books. Certain authors were blacklisted, and possessing their works could lead to disappearance. Family members of mine disappeared during this time, and would not return for years after wrongful imprisonment. My family could not even ask where they were and remained silent out of fear. It was a difficult era, one that impacted my life as well as the people of Syria. 

After high school, I enrolled at the University of Aleppo and studied architectural engineering as one of the few women in my class. After graduating, I taught at the university for four years. While I was there, I received a scholarship from the Austrian government to conduct research at the University of Economics and Business in Vienna, in the urban planning department. I lived in Vienna for one year. 

In 1992, I arrived in Michigan ready to start a new chapter of my life. My diverse, vibrant southeastern community embraced me with open arms and fully accepted me. I went on to earn an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1996 and become a successful business owner in the real estate and construction industries. I married my amazing husband, raised two beautiful sons, and lived a good life. Though I achieved my American Dream, I never could ignore the corruption ravaging my homeland. 

Deeply inspired by the brave young protesters in the Arab Spring, I began organizing with other Syrians during the 2011 Syrian revolution to openly advocate for Syrian refugees fleeing persecution. As a result, my advocacy work on the state and national level culminated in the passage of legislation holding human rights abusers in Syria accountable. 

That is when I discovered my voice and my true purpose. 

In 2016, when Donald Trump was on the rise in politics, I immediately saw who he was and could easily identify his thirst for power and control. I knew I had to act, to strive for a better future, not just for myself, but for all those who dared to dream.

For me, running for office is not optional; it’s about paying it forward. I am privileged to live in a country that values democracy. Therefore, I must speak up and share my story. 

My story, while unique to me, mirrors the stories of countless Americans and those who understand the immigrant experience. We come from all corners of the world, driven by the same yearning for freedom, opportunity, and a better life for ourselves and the generations after us. 

I believe celebrating our differences is the key to creating a greater future in Michigan. Our differences — from religion, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation — bring us closer together, expand our capacity for love and mutual understanding, sharpen our minds, and help us build stronger bonds. Hate and ignorance have no place in our communities. 

If given a seat at the table, I can effectively address issues like healthcare access, gun safety, immigration, affordable housing, and reproductive rights all while bridging cultures and political divides. 

By running for a seat in the 54th State House District, I hope to make more progress in the state of Michigan — bringing my lifetime of experiences to Lansing and ensuring that dreams like mine are accessible to everyone.