Theresa Crecelius is an alum of the University of Washington and Linfield College. She holds bachelor of science degrees in Chemistry and Medical Laboratory Science as well as certification as a medical laboratory scientist with the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Theresa was raised in the United Methodist Church in Orofino, a small town in north, central Idaho. Theresa and her husband, Mujib Kamawal, have three young, rambunctious sons. For the last three years Theresa has been working as a community activist: in her hometown, Burien, and in MAPS’s American Muslim Empowerment Network (MAPS-AMEN). 

Theresa has helped organize MAPS-AMEN events, has spoken at rallies advocating for justice, has met with the offices of Washington State Senators Murray and Cantwell to raise community concerns, and communicates regularly with Christian and secular groups about Islam and Muslims. Two episodes of the Challenge 2.0 TV show by the Treacy Levine Center feature Theresa speaking about Islamophobia and responding to hate crimes. Theresa also recorded a radio interview with KLER (Orofino, ID) about Islam, and a KUOW Primed podcast. She participated in KUOW’s 2018 Ask a Muslim event, spoke at the 2019 UW Connects Master Class, and was a key speaker at MAPS’ 2019 Annual Interfaith Iftar event. Theresa further participated in community meetings with Amazon and Microsoft about how surveillance affects marginalized communities. 

In Burien, Theresa is a member of the ACLU Burien People Power group, Community Visions Network, and WAISN’s Rapid Response Team. She has attended and made public comment at Burien City Council meetings and events advocating for renter’s rights and against hate crimes. She organized a Lights for Liberty event with a local pastor as part of the national protest against separating immigrant families and remembering those (including young children) who have died in detention.

Theresa enjoys soccer, hiking, swimming, gardening and playing with her children.