Qualified: Finding Your Voice, Leading with Character, and Empowering Others

by Mia Love

This memoir from the first Black Republican congresswoman in America  shows readers how to own their stories, find their voices, and lead with character as they empower others to do the same.  For so long, women—and Black women in particular—have been taught that they must have a stellar background, the highest degree of education, and the strongest resumé imaginable to earn their place in a society historically dominated by white men. As a result, women have found themselves plagued with anxiety and self-doubt and have felt constricted by this limiting belief of qualification by achievement and the necessity of sporting a flawless track record. These false assumptions have discouraged women from pursuing positions of power and influence for the betterment of their communities, leading to underrepresentation in our institutions and the tragedy of wasted potential. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 
 
Mia Love has devoted her entire life to defeating illusive boundaries and redefining the meaning of “qualified.” The daughter of immigrant parents who sacrificed everything to embrace the American Dream, Love learned that she had something unique and valuable that she could give back to her country—her voice. And now she wants to empower others to do the same. 
 
For years, Love faced intense scrutiny and fielded questions regarding her political party affiliation, her desire to run for office, and her commitment to championing conservative values. In  Qualified , Love explains her answers to these questions by taking readers through her journey from election to her local city council, leading as mayor of Saratoga Springs, and making history in the U.S. House of Representatives serving Utah’s 4th Congressional District from 2015–2019.

Her story showcases how we can stay true to our integrity, fearlessly voice our values despite fervent opposition, and begin again after every failure and setback. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Ludmya "Mia" Love was an American political commentator and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Utah's 4th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. A Haitian American, she was the first Black person elected to Congress from Utah, the first Haitian-American elected to Congress, and the first Black woman elected to Congress as a Republican.
Love was born to Haitian parents in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. She was elected mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, in 2010, having previously served on its City Council. She spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention. That year, she ran for Congress in Utah's 4th congressional district, losing narrowly to incumbent Democratic Party U.S. Representative Jim Matheson. She ran for Congress again and was elected in 2014, defeating Democratic opponent Doug Owens; she defeated Owens a second time to win re-election in 2016. After losing re-election in 2018 in an upset to Democrat Ben McAdams by 694 votes, Love was hired by CNN as a political commentator in 2019.

Reviews

[Dave Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always believed that for "political" books to be successful they needed to have lots of "political dirt." Mia Love, in her book, Qualified, has proven that my belief is wrong. This book is a very easy to read, well written, upbeat journey through her political life thus far. If you are a person looking to get into politics, her advice and counsel is exceptional. If you just want to read about her journey it is entertaining and inspiring.

[Stina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I love Mia’s perspective of the American dream based on her Haitian immigrant parents. I am grateful for the difference Mia made for Utah and the nation. And for her perspective of empowering the people instead of the government.

Mia recently passed away, leaving her husband and children. In her husband’s words, Mia was lighting that couldn’t be contained in a bottle.

Before she passed, she wrote a beautiful essay about her hope for Utah and the nation.

We shouldn’t sit and wish for more men and women like Mia to rise up. We need to courageously speak up and lift those around us.

It’s not whether we are left or right, but whether our trajectory is up or down.

Mia, well done!

[DeLaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qualified is the perfect blend of personal experience and political enterprise. Mia blends her origin story with her political wins and losses culminating in sage, hard-earned advice for anyone interested in politics or a leadership position.

The main takeaway for me is that principles trump politics, people, and personalities and I enjoyed reading about what that looked like for Mia as mom, wife, mayor, congresswoman, CNN correspondent, and friend.

It's definitely worth listening to as the author reads it in her own voice.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listend to Mia read her story and was truly inspired. Before reading the book, I wondered what we would have in common other than the fact that we are both black women. After listening to her story, I realize that we share many of the same values and beliefs. I admire her for standing up for what she belives and following her own path in life.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book. I wish that I could get everyone I know to read it.

Mia Love was such a treasure for our state and our nation. She will be sorely missed, especially in the next few years. I am profoundly grateful that she was able to create this book to help leave behind and document her legacy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up
A lovely book by a local congresswoman. I'm sad that I wasn't in her district. I'm sad by her recent passing. She was a decent, honest, honorable politician; she will be missed.
I enjoyed learning about her past, her politics, her family, her accomplishments and her hopes.
A recommended read--or listen. Hearing her read her book was wonderful.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia does an excellent job of weaving her passion and story throughout the pages of Qualified. She is a wonderful mentor of what is possible and believing in the power of empowering others. I absolutely loved this book!

[K Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely written by a politician: she glossed over or perfectly worded some aspects of her life that might not align with her political persona but overall a quick and easy read about Mia’s life. I rolled my eyes at many of her uber conservative talking points but found it helpful to read about how a black woman became a Republican congressman. Also really appreciated her consistent message of the need for bipartisan cooperation and trying to understand people who don’t believe what you do.

[Brian Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story of the child of immigrants who rose to become the first black republican woman.