New York State Assemblymember Karines Reyes, born in the Dominican Republic, identifies as an Afro-Latina. Her interest in politics was sparked after she became an RN through her work as a union representative at Montefiore Einstein Hospital. She was elected in 2018 as a member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 87 and assumed office on January 1, 2019. Assemblywoman Reyes has two young sons and provides particular inspiration for nurses who wonder how they can balance nursing and political work with the important job of parenting.