Meet Izola
About Izola Shaw
Life-long Democrat. Advocate. Champion for Montgomery County
Izola Shaw knows firsthand how political decisions can turn lives upside down—because she’s lived it. After nearly two decades of dedicated federal service, Izola was one of thousands in Montgomery County whose jobs were abruptly cut by Elon Musk and the Trump administration. These decisions favored billionaires over working families and upended the lives of countless people in our county, especially right here in District 3—Rockville and Gaithersburg.
But Izola’s commitment to her community began long before those layoffs. At NIH, she brought coworkers together to form a union, fighting for fair treatment and stronger protections right up to her last day on the job. That dedication to empowering working people may have even made her a target.
Losing her job didn’t break Izola—it inspired her to fight even harder. She understands, in a way most politicians never will, how political decisions can threaten a family’s future. That’s why she’s determined to be the champion our community needs, standing up for working families when it matters most.
Why I’m Running
“Our basic needs—food, housing, education, and healthcare—are at risk because the Trump Administration is putting the interests of billionaires ahead of our families. ICE raids are spreading fear throughout our community and kidnapping our neighbors. When this Administration threatens our people, resources, and values, we depend on, we can't afford to wait to step up. Our community needs local leaders who will stand up right now to protect our jobs, our neighborhoods, our rights, and our future.
This campaign is rooted in the power of our community and our shared responsibility to protect and uplift one another—a responsibility that calls on all of us to step up in this moment. I’m running because we must fight for a future where every voice is valued and every family has a real chance to thrive.”
—Izola Shaw
Rooted in Service
Izola’s family history is a story of progress and perseverance. Her father made history by desegregating his high school at 16. He had to be escorted by the National Guard just to attend class for protection. He went on to serve in the Navy and worked as a federal employee for 40 years—inspiring Izola’s career in public service. Her mother worked at Planned Parenthood before Roe v. Wade, connecting women with safe resources and trustworthy information. Her Mother went on to become one of the first Black women Deans at M.I.T. Izola’s grandfather, a Pullman Porter, organized the country’s first Black union, opening doors to the middle class for thousands of families.
Izola grew up in Cambridge, MA. At the end of her junior year in high school, bad housing policy enacted by their elected leaders led to extreme rent hikes, and Izola’s family was forced to move out of their home and jurisdiction, which also threatened her education. Izola’s lived experience of being priced out of her community and truly understanding the consequences of housing instability shaped her belief that everyone deserves safe, attainable, stable housing, and it is essential for our community to thrive.
Izola is a proud alumna of Howard University (Go Bisons!), where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a dual degree in Political Science and History. Upon graduation, Izola went on to receive her master’s degree in Economics and Community Development from Johns Hopkins University. Her experiences at these two prestigious universities led her to serve throughout western and southern Africa, where she spearheaded community economic development projects in some of the world’s most impoverished places. She additionally lived in France and Italy.
Izola moved to Rockville more than a decade ago. After initially meeting her husband-to-be at Howard University, she ran into him again years later at a Rockville grocery store, and the couple got married shortly after.
In 2023, Izola was elected by her neighbors to serve on the Rockville City Council, where she has been a champion for working families seeking a local government that will fight to protect them.
A Record You Can Trust
Izola Shaw has spent decades fighting for working families, safer neighborhoods, and stronger communities. Her proven track record of leadership and advocacy speaks for itself:
✓ As a Rockville City Councilmember, Izola has championed safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, and top-notch city services, ensuring Rockville’s $176 million budget truly serves its residents.
✓ She secured record-setting investments in affordable housing, local schools, and essential city services, delivering real results for Rockville families.
✓ With over a decade of service at FEMA, Izola advised county and municipal governments nationwide to prepare for and recover from disasters, bringing critical expertise to communities in need.
✓ At NIH, she served as a public health leader, sharing life-saving information during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep families safe.
✓ As a Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commissioner, Izola oversees a $377 million budget to develop thousands of affordable homes for families across the county.
✓ A leader in the Fight for $15, Izola organized lower-income workers to testify before the County Council, helping secure a minimum wage increase in 2017.
✓ A passionate housing justice advocate, she united tenants and homeowners to fight for stable rents and engaged hundreds of residents in shaping local housing policies.
✓ Izola helped lead the passage of the Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Act, ensuring every policy is measured by its impact on the county’s most vulnerable residents.
✓ Appointed to the Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (RESJAC), Izola was elected as its first female Chair, leading efforts to advance equity across the county.
✓ As a member of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee, she championed wrap-around services for survivors and their children, supporting their journey to safer and healthier lives.
Izola’s leadership is rooted in action, and her accomplishments reflect her unwavering commitment to building a Montgomery County where everyone can thrive.
