It's a bit like freshman mixers or a class trip to Capitol Hill this week for Rashida Tlaib of Detroit and other newly elected Congress members.
They come from across the country for orientation lessons in navigating Capitol Hill. These eager women and men have graduated into a new job, and their social media posts show purpose, joy and youthful giddiness at times.
Tlaib, a Democratic former state legislator elected Nov. 6 with 163,782 votes (85 percent) in the 13th Congressional District, takes the oath of office Jan. 3 to fill a seat held by John Conyers for 27 terms. The district -- which she describes as "third-poorest in the nation" -- includes Midtown Detroit, most east-side and west-side neighborhoods, parts of Downriver, Dearborn Heights, Redford Township, Inkster, Romulus and other communities..
"We are a very different Congress and I am loving it," says the first Palestinian-American elected to that body. "We bring life, light and so much love with us as we fight for our communities. Now, let's make sure we are placed at decision making tables that allow our real life experiences to be used to change lives for the better."
Her hashtags with eight photos shared since Monday on social media reflect identity, brashness and fulfillment:
#OurTime | #PeopleLikeUs | #Unbossed | #Unbought | #MakingHistoryTogether | #rootedincommunity | #unapologeticallyMe
Amid tours, lunches and briefings, Tlaib (pronounced tah-LEEB) poses for her phone camera and taps out captions that blend snark, sassiness, determination and #13thDistrictStrong pride.
"You all have no idea the overwhelming feeling that I have walking into the People's Capitol to fight for all of you at home," she posts with a video. "You are in my heart. I am so honored to serve you as your member of Congress."
More of the 42-year-old politician's words are below the four Instagrams they accompany: