First Indian-American woman mayor of US city
Vini Samuel lived in Kollam till she was 6; Election to be ratified on Tuesday
Alappuzha: Ms Vini Samuel, originally from Kerala, is set to make history as the first Indian-American woman Mayor of Montesano, Washington, after her election is certified on November 24.
Ms Samuel, daughter of Mr Samuel Thomas and Ms Pona Samuel, lived in Kollam till she was six years old. Her family, including her parents and sister, relocated to Juneau, Alaska, where her father became Alaska’s director of commerce.
She has been living in Montesano city for the last 18 years with her husband, Guy Bergstrom, who works for the Democratic Caucus in the Washington state House of Representatives.
They have a son, Thomas, 13. Her parents are also settled nearby. The Daily World, a Washington-based newspaper, quoted Ms Samuel, who is in her forties, as saying: “It’s wonderful and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. This has always been about Montesano and coming together as one town and trying to get things done. We worked hard and the goal was about coming together and keeping the city of Montesano as the focus of the conversation.”
She told ‘India West’ another US-based website: “I hope it encourages more young men and women to see public service as a possibility; that you don’t have to look exactly like most leaders they see on television.”
Ms Samuel, who has previously served on Montesano’s city council for eight years, also said she was campaigning on the issue of transparency in city politics.
She currently serves as member of Western Washington University’s Alumni Board and owns her own law practice downtown. She had been practising law in Grays Harbour since graduating from Seattle University Law School in 1997. She has also bagged a bachelor’s degree in history and English literature from Western Washington University.
“I had great support from local citizens and business owners. It is time to stop petty politics and rebuild America one town at a time. I am grateful to have the opportunity to do that,” Ms Samuel was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
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