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Salmah Rizvi
Appellate Litigator - Civil Rights Activist - Faith-Based Community Leader @AMBA
Salmah Y. Rizvi is a prominent civil rights attorney and the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaiʻi. She has an extensive background in law, public policy, and advocacy, particularly in the areas of civil rights and social justice. Rizvi's work has focused on various critical issues, including prison reform, voting rights, and protections for marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and Native Hawaiians.
Education and Early Career
Rizvi holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from New York University School of Law, a Master of Science (M.S.) from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University. Before entering law, she worked for the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, where she was the first Chairwoman of the Defense Department's Islamic Cultural Employee Resource Group. In this role, she advocated for the civil rights of Muslims within military institutions and led efforts to ensure accountability in intelligence reporting related to the Muslim world.12
Legal Career
In her legal career, Rizvi has clerked for notable judges, including the Honorable Theodore A. McKee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable J. Michael Seabright of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi. She has also worked with various ACLU affiliates on significant civil rights litigation.12 Her advocacy work includes arguing cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals and addressing systemic injustices through impactful litigation.12
Leadership at ACLU
As Executive Director of ACLU Hawaiʻi, appointed in January 2024, Rizvi leads initiatives aimed at safeguarding civil liberties throughout the state. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to community engagement and addressing pressing social issues.23 She has been instrumental in creating programs such as the Hawai'i Civil Rights Voter Education Fund to promote civic engagement.4
Personal Life
Born in Indonesia to a Pakistani father and a Guyanese mother, Rizvi is multilingual and has traveled extensively. She resides in Honolulu with her family, where she continues her advocacy work while raising her children to appreciate their cultural heritage.12