Journalism of Courage
Rama Duwaji is the new first lady of NYC, after her husband, Zohran Mamdani historically won the NYC mayor elections this year. Let's get to know more about her.
Artist and illustrator: Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator, animator and ceramicist whose work has appeared in prominent media. Her art often explores themes of identity, Middle Eastern heritage and social issues.
From Texas to Dubai to NYC: Rama was born in Houston, Texas (June 30, 1997) and moved with her Syrian-immigrant family to Dubai at the age of nine. She later relocated to New York City in 2021 to further her career as an artist.
Education in Fine Arts: She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019 and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Rama Duwaji and Zohran Mamdani: Rama and Zohran Mamdani met via the dating app Hinge in 2021. They became engaged in Dubai in October 2024 and had a civil ceremony at the NYC City Clerk’s office in early 2025.
Rooted in Art and Activism: Her creative work frequently addresses Middle-East related humanitarian and social justice issues, including in Gaza and Sudan, and reflects her desire to spark conversation and community through art.
Style and Presence of Her Own: While her husband’s public profile is high, Rama has maintained a somewhat quieter role, preferring to let her work speak. At the same time, her style and contributions, both artistic and personal, have drawn interest.
