Jessica Benham

American politician and disability rights activist (born 1990)

Jessica Benham


Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 36th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 5, 2021
Preceded by	Harry Readshaw

Personal details
Born	(1990-12-13) December 13, 1990 (age 33)
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Bethel University (BA) Minnesota State University, Mankato (MA) University of Pittsburgh (MA, Ph.D)

Jessica L. Benham (born December 13, 1990) is an American politician and disability rights activist serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 36th District. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman and first openly autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. She cofounded the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy in 2014.

Education

Benham was homeschooled through highschool and competed for many years at the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association, advancing to the national level multiple years in a row. During that period, she acquired the skill of using logic and facts to articulate and defend her faith.

Benham earned a bachelor's degree in political science and communication at Bethel University. She earned a master's degree in communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato and a master's degree in bioethics at University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). While at Pitt, she was a member of the organizing committee to start a union for graduate students.^[1] Benham holds a doctorate in communication from the University of Pittsburgh,^[2]^[3] which she completed while serving as a state representative.

Career

In 2014, Benham cofounded the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy, where she served as the director of development. It is an LGBTQ+ autistic-led advocacy group, and the only LGBTQ+, autistic-led advocacy program in the greater Pittsburgh region.^[4]^[5]^[6] The group successfully advocates for state legislation, including Paul's Law which prohibits those with disabilities from being denied organ transplants.^[1]

Benham advocates for autistic rights, creates sensory friendly spaces, and increases access to individual education and 504 plans for autistic children in the public schooling system. She helps educators, parents, and healthcare workers to better understand those with autism, and reduces roadblocks to employment for autistic adults.^[6]

Through the PCAA and other mediums, Benham has worked to ensure the fair treatment of individuals with disabilities in the legislative system. She has consulted and provided feedback for the Pittsburgh City Council's gun legislation, state level healthcare efforts, and the endeavor to create autism designations on driver's licenses and license plates.^[6]

As a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, Benham is involved in the organization of a graduate student union. She facilitates meetings and phone banking, and serves as the editor-in-chief of the committee newsletter.^[6]

Since 2016, she has been active in the Zone 3 Public Safety Council of District 36.^[6]

In 2020, Benham defeated opponent AJ Doyle and was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 36th District, where she succeeded Harry Readshaw. She is the first LGBTQ+ woman and first autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.^[5]^[4] Her campaign focused on healthcare, workers' rights, and a clean environment.^[4] Benham received endorsements from local trades labor unions, including in the natural-gas industry.^[7]

She has served as the Judge of Elections since 2018.^[6]

Committee assignments

Aging & Older Adult Services^[8]
Health^[8]
Human Services^[8]

Personal life

Benham is autistic and bisexual.^[5]

She has a cat, Ravi.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Pereira, Ivan (November 12, 2020). "Openly bisexual, autistic candidate wins election for Pennsylvania House seat". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
^ "Jessica Benham, MA | Center for Bioethics and Health Law | University of Pittsburgh". bioethics.pitt.edu. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
^ @PFT400 (March 27, 2022). "Congratulations to another of our endorsed candidates for an impressive achievement: Dr. Jessica Benham" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ ^a ^b ^c Reynolds, Daniel (2020-11-06). "Jessica Benham, Bi Autistic Woman, Seals Historic Win in Pa. Election". Advocate. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
^ ^a ^b ^c Neumann, Sean (November 12, 2020). "Pennsylvania Lawmaker with Autism Makes Simultaneous History as First LGBTQ Woman in Statehouse". People. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Jessica Benham for State Representative". www.benhamforpa.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
^ Waltz, Amanda. "Pittsburgh's Jessica Benham makes history as first LGBTQ woman, openly autistic candidate elected to PA state legislature". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Representative Jessica Benham". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2022-01-17.