Fireside chat with Congresswoman Luz Rivas
Cosmos Club, Washington DC
Join us for an exclusive fireside chat with freshman House Representative Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-D) at the beautiful and historic Cosmos Club. In this candid conversation, Congresswoman Rivas (MIT '95) will share insights into her path from MIT to public service, initiatives she is championing, and how her MIT experience has influenced her work. This event is not to be missed.
6:00 PM Networking
6:30 PM Fireside Chat with Congresswoman Luz Rivas
7:15 PM Buffet Dinner
8:30 PM Adjourn
This event is run by the MIT Club of Washington DC.
Congresswoman Luz Rivas is an engineer, educator, and public servant who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2025 to represent California’s 29th Congressional District – the first Latina to represent the district and the only Latina in Congress with a STEM background.
For the 119th Congress, Rep. Rivas was elected by her peers to serve in House Democratic Leadership as the Freshman Leadership Representative. In this role, she ensures each freshman member’s voice is heard and represented in the House Democrats’ agenda, and participates in Democratic Leadership meetings. Additionally, Rep. Rivas is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Prior to her election, Rep. Rivas served in the California State Assembly for six years where she committed herself to uplifting and empowering underrepresented communities, securing over $70 million in state funding for infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects in the San Fernando Valley, and working to increase access to computer science and climate change education across California.
Rep. Rivas is formerly the Founder DIY Girls, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls become interested in technology and engineering through educational experiences and mentorship. Through DIY Girls, Rep. Rivas set thousands of young women on the path towards economic empowerment, independence, and self-confidence.
Rep. Rivas grew up in Pacoima where she was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her and her sister. After attending San Fernando High School and pursuing interests in STEM classes, Rep. Rivas attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After college she worked as an electrical engineer for Motorola. Her passion to get kids interested in engineering led her to pursue a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
Dress Code: COSMOS CLUB SUMMER DRESS CODE IS IN EFFECT
Men are expected to wear a sport jacket, dress slacks, and a collared, long-sleeved, tucked-in shirt or turtleneck in the Clubhouse. Ties are not required in the Crentz Room. Women are expected to wear dresses, suits, skirts or dress slacks with jackets or tops of appropriate formality. Casual tops with slacks, but no jacket, do not constitute appropriate formality. Those who do not comply with the dress code will not be permitted to attend the event.
Metro: The Cosmos Club is just a few short blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red Line). Exit the station on Q Street. Walk one and a half blocks west to 2121 Massachusetts Avenue.
Parking: There are several public parking structures nearby: