Dipti Vaid Dedhiya Becomes New Jersey's first South Asian Female Municipal Judge

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Dipti Vaid Dedhiya made history when she was appointed to the Edison municipal court as the first woman municipal court judge of South Asian heritage. Her mother was the first Indian woman in Edison, New Jersey, to start a retail store. Her mother-in-law was one of the first female entrepreneurs to own and manage a hotel on her own.

Dedhiya said, “in the past, there was very little acknowledgement of our community itself, let alone the community’s accomplishments. 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 further said, “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 genealogy spans Gujarat and the globe. Bhayavadar and Mangrol were home to her great-grandparents. Her grandfather moved to Kenya from the United States. Later on, the family relocated to the capital city of the United Kingdom, London. Her grandparents travelled to Aden and then returned to Mumbai on her mother's side. Her parents married in London and subsequently relocated to the United States, first to New York, then to New Jersey. Her father is an embryologist, and her mother still conducts her company.

 Dedhiya added, “we speak Gujarati at home and celebrate all the festivals. It’s important for my parents that we remember our roots. We always hosted big Diwali celebrations, attended garba, played Holi at our temple, and participated in pujas at home.”

Dedhiya underlined, “realizing the importance of maintaining our culture abroad, we now do the same with our children.”

Edison elected Sam Joshi, a Gujarati by birth, as mayor last year.

After getting a business degree, Dedhiya decided to pursue a career in law. Her interest in the profession was sparked by an internship at a legal company. Her parents, too, admired the profession.

She said, “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.”