Indian-born Manpreet Monica Singh becomes First female Sikh judge in the US

By: WE Staff | Monday, 9 January 2023

Manpreet Monica Singh, a Harris County judge of Indian descent, has taken the oath of office and is now the 1st female Sikh judge in the United States. She was sworn in to serve as a judge in Texas's Houston Civil Court at Laws No. 4.

Singh grew up in Houston and currently resides in Bellaire alongside her spouse and two kids. Singh's father came to the US in the early 1970s.

She has twenty years of legal expertise and has been active in a number of regional, national, and local human rights organisations. At the oath ceremony, she remarked, "It means a great deal to me since I represent H-town (Houstle's nick moniker) the most. I'm pleased for it to be us. The occasion was officiated over by Judge Ravi Sandill, an Indian-American who also happens to be the first South Asian judge in the state.”

Singh has been a practicing attorney for 20 years, has prosecuted over 100 cases, and is active in various local, state, and federal civil rights groups. She is a member of the Texas Lyceum, Sikh Coalition, and the ACLU of Texas' board of directors (also serving as Trustee). She also serves as a Section President for the specialized American Board of Trial Advocates and continues to lecture at Texas Bar CLE sessions.

It's a particularly important time for the Sikh community, according to Sandill. "They are aware that opportunity is open to them when they encounter a person of colour or someone who is a little different. Manpreet serves as an ambassador for any and all women of color and not only for Sikhs”. he stated that out of the 500,000 Sikhs estimated to be in the US, 20,000 live in the Houston area.

"It was a happy event to the Sikh Community, it was also a wonderful day for all individuals of color who recognize the Beauty of the County of Houston in the Diverse of the Court," Houston Mayor Sylvester said.