Indian American Richa Awasthi is the First Woman of Color to be Elected Mayor of Foster City, Calif.

Indian American Richa Awasthi made history this week by becoming the first woman of color to be elected mayor of Foster City, California. A long-time resident of the city, Awasthi currently serves as vice president of Digital Payments at Wells Fargo Bank. She was unanimously elected to the ceremonial position by city council members on Dec. 6. She is the city’s sixth female mayor.

Awasthi told KPIX5 that she’s excited about her appointment. She said “there’s a lot of work ahead and I want to do so much.” She said she feels honored to represent the minority community,” and that she’s “able to inspire others.” When asked by KPIX5 about why it took “five decades for the city to vote its first minority female,” Awasthi stressed the need for “more women, more minority women to stand up.” The city’s population is nearly 48 percent Asian, according to the U.S. Census.

“It’s exciting to see Foster City have its first female immigrant Indian American mayor,” resident Amruta Kulkarni told American Kahani. “I don’t know Richa personally but I wish her well in her new capacity.”

Awasthi was elected to serve a four-year term on the City Council on Nov. 6, 2018. She has over 20 years of corporate experience with leading financial services organizations including Franklin Templeton, Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo and Visa. She has an MBA from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore, India.

Last December, a few days after she was sworn in as vice mayor, Awasthi’s husband had a narrow escape when someone hurled a large rock through a window at her home. “It was scary, it was nerve-wracking, it sounded like a gunshot,” she told KPIX5. “But I put that behind me, especially because of the support that I got from the community, the messages I got.”

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After the incident, in a letter distributed by the city, Awasthi said the incident was “disturbing.” She said she ”will not allow this action to affect the duty and promise I have made to you as your elected representative. In the past, I have always advocated for this community and I will continue to do so as this investigation proceeds.”

Awasthi’s ceremonial term will end next December. She can choose to run for re-election.