1. A Trailblazing Advocate: Asha-Maria Belley
2. Education and Political Beginnings
3. Member of Parliament
4. Activism and Leadership
5. Green Women Leadership

A Trailblazing Advocate: Asha-Maria Belley

Early Life and Family

Asha-Maria Belley was born on February 10, 1992, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Adopted into a Finnish family at the age of three, she became the second adopted child in a large household of eight children. Her adoptive siblings included three biological children, three adopted from Ethiopia, and two from South America.

Education and Political Beginnings

Belley graduated from high school in Äänekoski in 2011 and went on to study public policy at the University of Jyväskylä. In 2017, she was elected to the Jyväskylä City Council with an impressive 1279 votes. She was re-elected in 2021 with an increased support of 2017 votes.

Member of Parliament

In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Belley made history by becoming the first Black woman elected to the Finnish Parliament. Representing the Green League in the Central Finland district, she received 4351 votes.

Activism and Leadership

Beyond her political career, Belley is a dedicated feminist and serves on the boards of several organizations, including Demo Finland, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and the Peace Education Institute.

Green Women Leadership

In 2021, Belley was elected Chair of the Green Women, a movement within the Green League. She succeeded Emma Kari and will serve a two-year term.

Politics