Vice Chair

Rima Nashashibi

Rima is an American Palestinian born in Jerusalem. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County.  When elected in 1998, Rima was the first Arab-American to serve in this position. Rima has an extensive record of political involvement with the Democratic Party as well as other political activities for a period of more than 18 years. Rima has served as a delegate to the California Democratic Party since 1988, is a member of the Resolution Committee, and was a co-founder and first Chair (1991-93) of the Arab American Caucus, State Democratic Party, reelected Chair in 2003 after having served as Treasurer and Vice-Chair. Rima is also a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus-PAC steering committee and Chair of the Orange County Chapter. She is a member of the American Business Women Association; member of the YWCA, Orange County; and a member of the Women of Vision, Orange County Chapter. Rima is a Member of Women in Leadership, Orange County Chapter; Member, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement-Anaheim Chapter; Member, Chicano/Latino Caucus and the Irish American Caucus, California Democratic Party.

In addition to all of this, Rima is President of the Arab American Democratic Club of Orange County, as well as a Board Member and Co-founder, Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East since 1999, established 1991 to help prevent domestic abuse through community awareness training/seminars, and empowerment of women.Rima has held numerous other positions including Chair (1992-1993) and Vice Chair (1998-2000) 67th Assembly District; Elected Gore Delegate, 39th Congressional District, Democratic Party Convention 2000; Western Region Chair, Arab American Institute, 1998 to 2000; Elected Delegate, 39th Congressional District, Democratic Party Convention-Chicago 1996; Elected President-American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Orange County Chapter 1995/6; Appointed Co-Chair-Affirmative Action Committee, State Democratic Party 1992-1994; Elected Vice President-ADC LA chapter 1992-1995; Elected President - The league of Arab American Women; and Elected Delegate - Congressional District, Jesse Jackson Presidential Campaign.

On June 28, 2005, at the request of the American Consulate in Jerusalem, Rima conducted a workshop for future political leaders in the West Bank.  This activity followed two previous workshops she conducted at the request of State Department, one for Palestinian Women in the West Bank on September 25-27, 2000, and a similar workshop in Bahrain prior to the first nationwide parliamentary elections in more than a quarter of a century from October 26-31, 2002.
Rima has had her share of public recognition for her activism including being selected as one of ten public figures, elected of ficials and activists profiled in Paul Findley’s book, silent no more: confronting America’s false images of Islam. Amana Publications 2001; and as the subject of a documentary on her life shown at “AL Jazira” on the Program “Min Al Mahjar.” She also was the first recipient of the Dr. Consuelo Nieto Patriotic Activism Award in 2003 from the 55th, 56th & 67th Democratic Assembly District Committees.

Rima attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, majoring in economics. She currently works in Los Angeles, CA as the Manager, Insurance Services Division, AIG Risk Management, a member company of American International Group, AIG.