Meet Irene Shin

A resident of downtown Herndon, Irene Shin has been involved in public service in Virginia since 2014. Outside of session, Delegate Shin works as Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that organizes communities to increase civic education and engagement across the Commonwealth.

Previously, Irene has worked with Supervisor John Foust, now-Vice President Kamala Harris, and spent many years in community and political organizing, as well as a number of nonprofits to recruit and support Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and women to run for office.

Irene is the daughter of Korean immigrants and was raised in Burbank, California. Her father is a small business owner, and her mother, in addition to being a homemaker, serves as a compassionate caregiver for individuals with health issues, assisting them in leading independent lives.

Irene’s family story is similar to many in the 8th District. She went to a state university on a scholarship and paid her way through college by waiting tables.

At the age of 16, Irene faced a significant turning point when her father encountered a serious health issue. This was in a time before the Affordable Care Act, and her family didn't have health insurance. They confronted numerous obstacles in a healthcare system that seemed impossible to navigate. Consequently, Irene's father had no option but to fly to Korea for medical treatment. In Seoul, he received immediate care, received a diagnosis of bladder cancer, and underwent life-saving surgery the following morning. Unfortunately, many individuals in Virginia still lack access to such affordable, quality healthcare.

Irene understands the real-life implications of an inadequate healthcare system on families. In her 2021 election campaign, her top priority was to improve and expand Virginia’s healthcare system.

In the face of the pandemic, Irene knew that the Commonwealth had more progress to be made. She believes we need to protect and expand the affordable healthcare system in Virginia, protect families by passing Universal Pre-K, Universal Paid Sick Leave, Universal Paid Family Medical Leave, and reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

As a Delegate, Irene worked diligently to make our government work better for families. Whether it is fighting for utility disconnection protections for the most vulnerable customers, securing greater support and access to resources for Virginians living with intellectual disabilities, cracking down on exploitative profiteering in our correctional system, or ending inhumane animal testing and breeding practices — Irene has stood up for our community’s values and priorities and for her constituents.

Irene is dedicated to making sure that everyone in Virginia can live in dignity, and that our government is both reflective and responsive to our communities’ needs.

“My door is always open to you.” – Irene.