TAMPA, Fla. — When you step into Zarra Elias’ office, it’s easy to figure out what is important to her — her career as a labor and employment lawyer has earned her multiple awards that decorate her desk.

But above all else is Elias’ family. A picture of her beloved grandmother sits below her computer screen every day.

What You Need To Know

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated during the month of May

  • This year's theme is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity" and Tampa attorney Zarra Elias says that means opening pathways for future generations. 

  • There are fewer women and minorities in the legal profession than in similar fields, according to The Florida Bar

  • Elias serves on the city of Tampa's AAPI Advisory Council and is also a member of the local chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

“I grew up in Manila, Philippines, having this thought that I would one day fulfill the dreams of my mom and become an attorney,” Elias said.

Elias said her mother became pregnant while she was thinking about becoming a lawyer. Elias went on to be raised by her grandmother, while her mother worked to support her.

At age 18, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her education, with a clear line of vision towards becoming a lawyer. Eventually, Elias earned her law degree from the University of Florida.

On the way to chasing her dream, Elias said she faced discrimination — something she first experienced as an 11-year-old. But she says one incident from a job in college stays with her to this day.

“I was just stuttering my words because I was so busy,” Elias said. “Then this customer just all of a sudden blurted out, ‘Do you even speak English? What are you doing here?' I knew then that these are the challenges that are inevitable to me. That wherever I go, I would and may experience racism, discrimination again, but I would overcome it.”

Elias is now a labor and employment attorney in Tampa, where she said those experiences guide her in her work.

“Experiencing racism, discrimination firsthand makes my job that much more meaningful in the sense that I can see a particular case or matter in a different light,” she said. “In a way I’m able to come up with inquiries, with questions to determine if things did indeed happen in the way they did.”

This year, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is all about advancing leaders through opportunity. To Elias, that means creating pathways for future generations.

There are fewer women and minorities in the legal profession than in similar fields, according to The Florida Bar. A survey by the organization shows just 1% of Florida bar members are Asian.

“As a minority, I was very fortunate to be mentored by both AAPI and non-AAPI attorneys,” Elias said. “That motivated me, that inspired me to continue with the legal profession because I saw that they could be successful.”

Elias advocates for equity in the legal industry as a member of the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She also serves on the city of Tampa’s AAPI Advisory Council, formed by Mayor Jane Castor after a rise in hate crimes against the Asian community during the pandemic.

“One of the main reasons why I do what I do for the community is to really empower the future generations to go ahead and speak up, speak out and represent the AAPI community in Tampa Bay,” Elias said.

Elias says her motivation goes back to her upbringing in a small town in the Philippines. Today, she feels a great responsibility to be a role model for young Asian-Pacific Americans — and motivate them to reach their biggest dreams.

The city of Tampa is hosting its Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival at Curtis Hixon Park on May 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature performances, food and informational exhibits.