First, Not Last | Schneiderman-artist

First, Not Last: Portraits Celebrating Those Who Broke Political Barriers in 2020 and 2021

Ana Irma Rivera Lassén — First Black, Openly Lesbian in the Puerto Rican Senate

This portrait honors Ana Irma Rivera Lassén's historic rise to the Puerto Rican Senate as a Black lesbian. The use of trash symbolizes the societal prejudices faced by individuals like Lassén, highlighting her journey from "trash" to a position of authority. This work is a commentary on identity and resilience.

Materials: Buttons, fabric, food wrappers, and other non-recyclable trash on campaign lawn sign

Size: 24 X 18 inches

Avril Haines — First Women Director of National Intelligence

During the Obama Administration, Ms. Haines served as the first woman Deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Never one to fit neatly into traditional women's roles, Haines worked as an auto mechanic while earning her BA in physics at the University of Chicago.

Materials: Buttons, beads, fabric, food packaging, ribbon, greeting cards, zip tie, and other non-recyclable trash on canvas.

Size: 10.25 x 8.5 inches

Brenda Mallory -- First African American to Chair the Council on Environmental Quality

Brenda Mallory was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 14, 2021, and sworn in as the 12th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). She is the first African American to serve in this position. As a child in Waterbury, Connecticut, she experienced environmental injustice firsthand.

Materials: Food wrappers, buttons, fabric, and other non-recyclable trash on board

Size: 10.35 X 8.75 inches

Cecilia Rouse — First African American to Chair the Council of Economic Advisors

When President Biden nominated Rouse, he called her "one of the most distinguished economists in the country; an expert on labor economics, race, poverty, and education."

Materials: Food wrappers, buttons, greeting card, fabric, cord, jewelry, plastic flower stems, stick, and other non-recyclable trash on board.

8.25 X 11.25 inches

Man half in shadow with short black hair against a green background.

Chuck Sams, III — First Indigenous Person to Head the National Park Service

This piece celebrates Indigenous leadership and highlights environmental themes, honoring Chuck Sams, III, the first Indigenous leader of the National Park Service.

Materials: Ribbons, fabric, buttons, food wrappers, silicon keyboard cover, silicone bracelet, cough drop wrappers, label maker tape, yarn, duct tape, and other non-recyclable trash sewn onto a campaign lawn sign.

Size: 24 X 18 inches

Deb Haaland — First Indigenous Person to Lead the Department of Agriculture

The former New Mexico Representative was the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department and the first to head the federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation's tribes for nearly two centuries.

Materials: Food wrappers, zipper, plastic, fake leather, soft foam, airline luggage tags, fabric, mesh screening, and other non-recyclable trash on canvas

Size: 20 x 16 inches

Mixed-media assemblage portrait made from non-recyclable trash, depicting a person’s face constructed from layered plastic, packaging, and dark resin-like material. The right side incorporates a black textured sneaker sole, while the left side reveals mesh and paper elements. The features—eyes, nose, and mouth—emerge through melted, glossy surfaces and fragmented materials, creating a striking, tactile composition that contrasts light and dark tones.

Esther Agbaje — First Nigerian-American Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives

In addition to serving in the MN legislature, Ms. Agbaje works as an attorney specializing in civil litigation and medical malpractice. Previously, she gained experience as a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

Materials: Color catcher sheets, net screening, duct tape, food wrappers, fabric, hard plastic, mosquito coils, beads, hard rubber, plastic placemat, socks, sunglass lens, and other non-recyclable trash on board.

Size: 8.25 X 11.25

Geo Soctomah Neptune –First Trans, Non-binary, and Two-spirit Person Elected to Public Office in Maine

Geo Soctomah Neptune is a Passamaquoddy Two-Spirit artist, master basketmaker, activist, educator, drag performer, and storyteller from Indian Township, Maine.

Materials: Decorative mesh, tea bag pouches, gardening glove, food packaging, stones, battery protectors, fabric, wire, shell, feather, mesh screen, hard plastic, broken jewelry, and other non-recyclable trash on board

Size: 12 X 8.5 inches

Holly Mitchell wins. L.A. Board of Supervisors is All-Female for the First Time

For the first time in its history, the L.A. Board of Supervisors became all-female due to Holly Mitchell's win in 2020. Previously, Ms. Mitchell was a Senator in the state of California

Materials: Food wrappers, buttons, beads, fabric, sequins, hard plastic, leather, and other non-recyclable trash on canvas

Size: 10.25 X 8.25 inches

Jill Rose Quinn, First Openly Transgender Judge in Cook County, IL

This artwork emphasizes transformation, resilience, and reclamation—qualities that resonate with many transwomen's journeys. It highlights the idea of reconstructing identity and finding beauty in what society often overlooks or discards.

Materials: non-recyclable trash, including plastic, fabric scraps, and discarded objects

Size: 8.5 X 12.25 inches

Kim Janey -- The First Woman and First African-American to Serve as Acting Mayor of Boston

As African-Americans, Ms. Janey and others were considered inferior for their skin color. I use trash to symbolize the so-called second-class citizens' transformation into people to be honored and respected. Then, using a kitchen cabinet door, I suggest that Ms. Janey opened the doors for others by being the first.

I made this portrait in 2021. It measures 14.5 X 16 inches.

Martin J Jenkins - First Openly Gay California Supreme Court Justice Etsy.jpeg

This portrait of Martin J Jenkins is made from non-recyclable trash and repurposed materials. Elevating trash to create artwork of distinguished people who are the first in their cohort to reach this status reminds us of the importance of all human beings. This applies especially to those previously considered unworthy of such positions.

This artwork measures 17.5 X 15 inches. I made it in 2022.