Since her election in 2018, these principles have fueled Attar’s commitment to serving her diverse district in Baltimore City. She drafted a bill that mandates that landlords reduce tenants’ risk of lead poisoning and partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to add braille to motor scooters. Additionally, Attar has co-sponsored legislation that would help Jewish women whose husbands refuse to sign a gett, a document that, according to Jewish law, is required for a divorce.  

Attar attributes her success to her parents, immigrants from Morocco and Iran who came to America seeking “the American dream.” Her parents, she said, “had very tough lives, trying to give their children the life that they never had.” Due to the opportunity that her parents provided her, Attar was able to dream big. She admired role models like Shabbat-observant Senator Joe Liberman (I-CT) and Judge Karen Chaya Friedman, an Orthodox Jewish woman who served on Maryland’s highest trial court. These figures inspired Attar to pursue a law degree from the University of Maryland, after which she worked as a prosecutor at the Baltimore State’s Attorney's office.  

Attar believes that her Jewish values enhance her ability to advocate for people on the legislative floor. Her Bais Yaakov education ingrained in her the basic ethics of refraining from lying, cheating, and stealing. “If I have a doubt whether something is right or wrong, I tell myself the answer is ‘no,’” she observes. “When it comes to integrity, I err on the safe side.”  

As an openly Orthodox Jewish woman, Attar has the power to combat stereotypes while serving as a role model for other Jewish girls and women who seek representation.   

Conte, Carolyn. “You Should Know…Dalya Attar.” Baltimore Jewish Times, March 26, 2020. https://www.jewishtimes.com/you-should-know-dalya-attar/  

 “Dalya Wins!!!” Baltimore Jewish Life, November 6, 2018.  

https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=104698  

Deutch, Gabby. “The Sephardi Democrat serving as Maryland’s first Orthodox legislator.” Jewish Insider, March 9, 2020. https://jewishinsider.com/2020/03/the-sephardi-democrat-serving-as-marylands-first-orthodox-legislator/