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Affie Ellis
Affie Ellis
01:23

Affie Ellis

Cheyenne, WY USA

"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."

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Affie's work combines: Politics, Government, and Accomplishing Goals

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Day In The Life

Wyoming State Senator

I represent southwest Laramie County, Wyoming, in the U.S. Senate.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I get comments like these—among others—that are essentially taking a stab at the fact that I'm a younger woman, a mother, or a Native American. Sometimes I'm able to respond bluntly but my temperament is usually to pause and process before responding. In these situations, I remind myself that there are things you can control and things you can't control. I can't control others' comments, so I typically just try to let it go and pray for them because they're just coming from a sad place.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Political Science and American Indian Studies

    University of Wyoming

  • Doctorate

    Law

    University of Colorado

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I grew up in Jackson, Wyoming, as the youngest of four children to my parents, who are full Navajo.

  • 2.

    As a teenager, I would help my mom clean motel rooms as a summertime job—seeing the extra wealth the guests had made me curious about how my own life would turn out.

  • 3.

    I did an internship in high school with the Wyoming legislature—I discovered that I really enjoyed the political process, and used that passion to guide the rest of my career choices.

  • 4.

    I went to the University of Wyoming and earned my degree in political science and American Indian studies.

  • 5.

    After graduating, I worked for a senator who represented Wyoming and sat on the U.S. Senate Committees on Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources—two issues I wanted to hone in on.

  • 6.

    I earned my law degree from the University of Colorado Law School—during this time, I was appointed to serve as director of congressional and public affairs for the National Indian Gaming Commission.

  • 7.

    After law school, I was appointed to serve on the Tribal Law and Order Commission.

  • 8.

    In 2016, I ran for the Wyoming Senate and won—I currently represent southwest Laramie County and am the first Native American to serve in the Wyoming Senate.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    Who's raising your kids? Don't you feel guilty for being here?

  • How I responded:

    I get comments like these—among others—that are essentially taking a stab at the fact that I'm a younger woman, a mother, or a Native American. Sometimes I'm able to respond bluntly but my temperament is usually to pause and process before responding. In these situations, I remind myself that there are things you can control and things you can't control. I can't control others' comments, so I typically just try to let it go and pray for them because they're just coming from a sad place.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I faced racism and prejudice growing up. When I went to school, my mother warned me not to tell anyone I was Native American because they'd look down on me. Things have changed over time and I don't feel the need to give my kids that same warning.

  • As a woman in a male dominated space, I get questions and comments about my life and my kids that my male counterparts do not. I just try my best to respectfully push back on some of those presumptions.