Ghazala Firdous Hashmi (born July 5, 1964) is an Indian-born American politician and former academic administrator and educator. A Democrat, Hashmi represents the 15th district in the Senate of Virginia. She worked as an educator and academic administrator for 25 years before running for office.
Early life and education
Hashmi was born in Hyderabad, India, in 1964 to Tanveer and Zia Hashmi. She lived at her maternal grandparents' home in Malakpet during her childhood. Her maternal grandfather served in the finance department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Her family moved to the United States in 1969.[1][2]
Hashmi completed a B.A. in English at Georgia Southern University. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Emory University.[3] Her 1992 dissertation was titled William Carlos Williams and the American ground of "In the American Grain" and "Paterson."[4]
Career
Hashmi was an educator and academic administrator for 25 years.[1] She was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Richmond and a Professor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. At J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, she served as the founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.[1]