LOS ANGELES – Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, a Filipino American small business owner and physical therapist, has made history by becoming the first Filipina elected to Chicago’s City Council in the 48th Ward.

The 48th Ward, encompassing neighborhoods like Edgewater and Uptown, is a diverse community, and Manaa-Hoppenworth’s historic victory reflects the evolving landscape of local politics.

The Chicago City Council consists of 50 aldermen, each representing one of the city’s 50 wards. They are elected by their constituents to serve four-year terms. Together, these aldermen form the legislative branch of Chicago’s city government.

Manaa-Hoppenworth’s win on April 4, 2023, marks a significant milestone for the Filipino American community in Chicago, a city known for its growing diversity.

A longtime community organizer and progressive activist, Manaa-Hoppenworth won a hard-fought race against developer Joe Dunne, winning with 51.89 percent of the vote in a runoff election.

Manaa-Hoppenworth’s victory is a compelling reminder of the importance of electing officials who genuinely reflect the communities they represent.

For decades, political offices in Chicago – including the City Council – were dominated by white politicians. In recent years, however, the City Council has experienced a significant demographic shift.

According to Axios Chicago, as of May 2025, white aldermen held 28 percent of the City Council seats, which is lower than their 32 percent share of the city’s population. Black representation has increased to 40 percent, surpassing their population percentage, while Latino representation has grown to 28 percent, closely aligning with the city’s Latino population.

Asian representation, although still trailing their population percentage, reached its highest point in 2023 with the election of Manaa-Hoppenworth and Chinese American Nicole Lee to the 11th Ward.

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: daughter of Filipino immigrants from Baguio City

The daughter of Filipino immigrants from Baguio City who migrated to the US during the ‘70s “to seek a better life” and eventually landed jobs in the healthcare industry, Manaa-Hoppenworth attributes her steadfastness and determination to her mother. “My mother always taught me to stand up for what you believe in,” she said.

Manaa-Hoppenworth’s path to the City Council was not without its challenges. She faced a crowded field of ten candidates in the initial election, and by the time the runoff rolled around, she was significantly outspent. Dunne had raised nearly $200,000 in campaign funds, compared to her $72,000. Despite the financial disparity, Manaa-Hoppenworth’s grassroots campaign, built on years of community work and coalition-building, propelled her to victory.

Her campaign focused on progressive values, emphasizing that health care, housing and safety are fundamental human rights.

“Everyone, no matter your race, religion, age, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic status, education, language, mental or physical ability, history with the criminal justice system, housing status, or learning style, is deserving of respect, support and a world free from violence,” she declares in her website.

Throughout her journey, the lifelong Chicagoan and mother of three has remained dedicated to providing affordable housing and mental health support for Chicagoans – issues that profoundly impact residents in the 48th Ward.

“Housing is a human right. We are proud of the diversity of our unique neighborhoods in the 48th ward and we all deserve truly affordable housing. When our neighbors are supported and not priced out of the community, everyone benefits,” Manaa-Hoppenworth said.

Her advocacy also focuses on expanding comprehensive, culturally relevant mental health care in the Ward and combating the stigmatization of mental health treatment.

Having worked in diverse fields – from dance supply retail to leading voter registration efforts –Manaa-Hoppenworth is a seasoned organizer and a dedicated advocate for social change. As an active member of progressive movements and a co-founder of Indivisible Illinois and ILVote, she has been a driving force behind efforts to hold local politicians accountable and push for police reform and community-led safety initiatives.

In 2022, she received the Kurt Mathiasson Award for Community Leadership from the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, honoring her commitment to equity and inclusion.

Manaa-Hoppenworth’s subsequent victory in the 2023 election has become a symbol of hope for young Filipino Americans and other underrepresented groups considering a career in politics.

She emphasized community work and structural change after her victory.

In an interview with NBC Chicago, which celebrated her accomplishments during the network’s salute to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture, she emphasized: “Representation matters. It’s important to show up. It matters who’s sitting at the table when decisions are made. It’s important to build your team. It’s important to build a pipeline so people can come behind me.”

Last year, Manaa-Hoppenworth was elected Democratic committeewoman for the 48th Ward, further solidifying her status as a key political figure in the city. Her election to both positions underscores her commitment to mobilizing voters and ensuring that Chicago’s progressive future is shaped by a diverse coalition of leaders.

As Chicago continues to diversify, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth’s victory stands as a beacon of hope – not just for the Filipino American community, but for all communities of color.

It serves as a powerful testament to what’s possible when marginalized voices are given the opportunity to lead.