Ahmedabad: Her mother was the first Indian woman to open a retail business in Edison, New Jersey. Her mother-in-law was one of the first women entrepreneurs running a motel on her own. Thus, her kin were not surprised when Dipti Vaid Dedhiya created history recently by becoming the first woman municipal court judge of South Asian descent with her appointment to the Edison municipal court.
“In the past, there was very little acknowledgement of our community itself, let alone the community’s accomplishments,” Dedhiya told TOI.
“Today, being the first Indian woman to be appointed as a municipal judge in one of New Jersey’s most diverse towns is not only being recognized but celebrated.”
Dedhiya added: “My hope and vision is that our society will continue to encourage future female minority leaders, like it has done for me in this historic role.”
Dedhiya’s story of ancestry traverses various parts of Gujarat and the world. Her great-grandparents lived in Bhayavadar and Mangrol. Her grandfather shifted to Kenya. The family later moved to London. On her mother’s side, her grandparents went to Aden and came back to Mumbai. Her parents got married in London and shifted to the US — first to New York and then to New Jersey. Her mother still runs her business and her father is an embryologist.
“We speak Gujarati at home and celebrate all the festivals. It’s important for my parents that we remember our roots,” Dedhiya said. “We always hosted big Diwali celebrations, attended garba, played Holi at our temple, and participated in pujas at home.”
Dedhiya went on to say: “Realizing the importance of maintaining our culture abroad, we now do the same with our children.”
Edison last year elected Sam Joshi, a person with Gujarati roots, as mayor.
Dedhiya ventured into law after earning a degree in business. An internship at a law firm ignited her interest in the field. Also, her parents respected the profession.
“When many young first-generation Americans look at how hard our parents worked to get us the best education and experience this country has to offer, it is a natural desire to want to make them proud,” she said.
Article Credits: TOI