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ZERBANOO GIFFORD

Director, Asha Foundation

Z erbanoo Gifford is a woman
of exceptional dedication
and determination. An indefatigable
human rights campaigner and author,
she is the founding director of the
ASHA Foundation, which promotes
philanthropy, interfaith and intercultural
understanding worldwide. She is a true
pioneer who has paved the way for Asian
women to make a mark in British public
life.

Combining the worthy qualities of
concern and courage, Zerbanoo Gifford
is involved in both grassroots and global
activism for over 30 years. A committed
champion of human rights, she has
espoused the cause of bonded labourers,
disadvantaged women and children.
Undeterred by obstacles, she made
political history when she was elected a
councillor for the Liberals in 1982 as the
first non-white woman. She then went
on to become the first Asian woman to
contest Parliamentary elections thrice.
Though she didn’t win, she succeeded in
challenging the traditional mindset. Her
example has emboldened Asian women
to follow in her footsteps. The first Asian
women were elected to the British House
of Commons only in 2010, nearly three
decades after she pioneered the trend
and paved the way for them, thus proving
that she was way ahead of her times.
She was a former adviser to the British
Home Secretary, Jack Straw, and was
responsible for addressing the cause of
ethnic minorities.

She has authored seven books and is
a recipient of several awards. A few of
the awards conferred upon her are: the
Freedom of the City of Lincoln, Nebraska
(1986), for her work combating modern
slavery and racism; The Nehru Centenary
Award (1989); the International Woman of
the Year 2006 and 2007; The International
Splendor Award in Hollywood for her
lifetime achievement in the field of
equality and human rights (2007); and
being honoured by the Sewall-Belmont
Museum in Washington DC to celebrate
the 90th Anniversary of American
Suffrage in 2010.

42 SynergyZ December, 2014