Manpreet Monica Singh was sworn in as a Harris county judge, becoming the first-ever woman Sikh judge in the United States (US) at the Harris County Civil Court in Texas.
She was born and brought up in Houston and now lives with her husband and two children. Her father immigrated to the US during the 1970s.
“It means a lot to me because I represent H-town (a nickname of Houston) the most, so for it to be us, I’m happy for it,” she said after taking charge as a Harris county judge.
While serving as a trial lawyer for over 20 years, she participated in several civil rights organisations at the local, state, and federal levels. The Indian-American Judge Ravi Sandill, the state’s first South Asian Judge, also appreciated and commended the work done by her in her decade-long career. He presided over the ceremony, which took place inside a packed courtroom. He mentioned that it’s a big moment for the Sikh community as Manpreet will now represent the minority community in a top position. He added, “When they see someone of colour, someone a little different, they know that possibility is available. Manpreet is not only an ambassador for Sikhs but also for all women of colour.”
The Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, also congratulated the country’s first woman Sikh judge by mentioning, “It was a proud day for the Sikh Community, but also a proud day for all people of Colour who see the Diversity of the City of Houston in the Diversity of the Court.”
In Canada, Niki Sharma has become the first South Asian woman Attorney General in British Columbia. “I think about all the women before me in my family that didn’t the opportunity, that had sexism and racism stand in their way,” said Sharma after her swearing in. Rachna Singh was also appointed the first South Asian woman Education Minister in the same cabinet.
Leave a Reply