Who Is Manpreet Monica Singh — First Female Sikh To Be Sworn In As Judge In US

Indian-origin Manpreet Monica Singh, sworn in as the first female Sikh judge in the US, was born and raised in Houston and currently resides in Bellaire with her family.

File Photo of Indian-origin Manpreet Monica Singh who has made history by becoming the first female Sikh judge in the US

Source : Instagram/@mk.monica_singh

New Delhi: Indian-origin Manpreet Monica Singh made history by becoming the first female Sikh judge in the US. "I'm ready to put my two decades of experience to good use," Singh wrote in a Facebook post after being sworn in as a judge of the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 in Texas on Friday.

 “Mama we made it! It is a 'true honor' to rep the people of Harris County as a Sikh civil court judge. Thank you to everyone for making this a historic moment, one that someday won't be an uncommon event - because there will be a judiciary that includes countless Sikh people and other minorities,” Manpreet Singh added.

"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 at the oath ceremony, reported US broadcaster ABC 13.

Who Is Manpreet Monica Singh?

Manpreet Singh was born and raised in Houston and now resides in Bellaire with her family including two children and a husband.

Her father immigrated to the US in the early 1970s. She has been a trial lawyer for 20 years and is associated with numerous civil rights organizations at the local, state, and national levels.

The ceremony took place in presence of Judge Ravi Sandill, the state's first South Asian judge, who presided over the event on Friday, according to the report. "It's a really big moment for the Sikh community," said Sandill.

"When they see someone of colour, someone a little different, they know that possibility is available to them. Manpreet is not only an ambassador for Sikhs but also for all women of colour," he added.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said: "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”.

There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the US, with 20,000 Sikhs living in the Houston area.

(With inputs from PTI)