The crucial phone call came during her sophomore year at George Washington University. Pramila Jayapal could afford only one phone call a year back home to India. Her parents had drained their savings so their daughter could study in the U.S. Of course, the plan was for her to become a lawyer, doctor or engineer. But Jayapal had other ideas. She told her parents she wanted to major in English Literature. Jayapal has been defying expectations for decades. After the September 11th attacks, she founded a Seattle-based immigrant advocacy group now known as OneAmerica. Jayapal was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2014, but she didn’t hang around for long. When Seattle’s incumbent Congressman announced his retirement in 2016, Jayapal plunged into the race, ultimately winning 56 percent of the vote. Jayapal represents Seattle and some of its suburbs, and the district is about 75 percent white and affluent. A Bernie Sander supporter, Jayapal is a freshman standout. Politico has marked her as one of “18 to Watch In 2018.” “Don’t be patronized,” Jayapal advises. “Be clear who you are. Be humble, always. But do not be afraid to show your strength and power.”