Marleine Bastien
Marleine Bastien (born 1959) is a Haitian-American social worker, human rights activist, and elected official serving as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 2. [1] She is widely recognized for her decades-long advocacy for immigrant rights, gender equity, and social justice, particularly within South Florida’s Haitian community.
Education and early life
Bastien was born in Pont-Benoit, Haiti, the third of eight children. Her father, Philippe Bastien, was a nurse and community health practitioner who built the village’s first school. Inspired by his activism, Bastien began volunteering at a young age, teaching literacy to adults and children. She later attended College Bird in Port-au-Prince before immigrating to the United States in 1981.
She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in clinical social work from Florida International University in 1987.
Career and Activism
Bastien began her career as a paralegal at the Haitian Refugee Center and later worked at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she founded the first HIV/AIDS support group for women and families. In 1991, she established Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami (Haitian Women of Miami), later renamed the Family Action Network Movement (FANM).[2] Under her leadership, FANM became a nationally recognized organization providing services in housing, immigration, education, and health care.
She has led numerous campaigns including:
- Haitian Immigration Refugee Fairness Act of 1998
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals
- The DREAM Act
- Living Wage and Human Rights Ordinance
- The Children’s Trust initiative
Bastien has also testified before Congress on immigration reform and appeared on national platforms such as The Oprah Winfrey Show to advocate for Haitian children detained at Guantanamo.[3][4]
In 2017 Bastien took part in Women's March at the Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida. She was profiled by Miami Girls Foundation.[5]
Political Career
In 2022, Bastien was elected to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, representing District 2.[6] She chairs the Housing Committee and serves on the Recreation and Tourism, Transportation, and Safety and Health Committees. Her tenure has focused on affordable housing, climate justice, and immigrant protections.
Honors and Recognition
Bastien has received numerous awards, including:
- Social Worker of the Year, Miami-Dade County (2000)[7]
- Human Rights Award, Amnesty International (2000)
- Woman of the Year, Ms. Magazine (2001)
- “One of the 35 Most Remarkable Women in the World,” Essence Magazine (2005)
- Stanley Milledge Lifetime Achievement Award, ACLU (2015)
- U.S. Human Rights Movement Builders Award (2013)
She has also received Congressional recognition from Senator Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
Personal Life
Bastien is married to actor and poet Jean Désir, with whom she has three sons. She continues to reside in Miami and remains active in community organizing and public service.
References
- ↑ "District 2 - Commissioner Marleine Bastien". www.miamidade.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "FANM Founder". fanm. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Watch the Video". digitalcollections.library.miami.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Bastien Bio". Jean v Nelson at 35. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Women's March Miami". Miami Girls Foundation. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Miznazi, Ashley (2022-11-09). "Major wins and losses for Haitians in Florida". The Haitian Times. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Charles, Johania (2021-04-13). "Marleine Bastien running for office". The Miami Times. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
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