Manjula Sood, Leicester's First Female Asian Lord Mayor, Dies Aged 80
Manjula Sood, an 80-year-old Leicester councillor and prominent Labour figure, has died. She was notable as the UK's first female Asian lord mayor in 2008, and Leicester's first Asian female lord mayor.
Sood served as a Labour councillor for the Stoneygate ward and as assistant mayor. Her political career began in October 1996 when she became Leicester's first Hindu female councillor, following a by-election after the death of her husband, Paul.
Originally from India, she moved to Leicester in 1970 after completing her PhD studies. She then worked as a primary school teacher for about 20 years.
In May 2008, she achieved the historic milestone of becoming both the UK's and Leicester's first Asian female lord mayor, a position she held for one year. During this time, she was honoured with an MBE and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Leicester.
Tributes have been paid by local politicians including Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, and Liz Kendall, Labour MP for Leicester West, who acknowledged her significant contributions to the city and its diverse communities.
Manjula Sood's personal journey included moving from a large 25-room house in Ludhiana, India, to a modest inner-city flat in Leicester. She expressed a deep connection with the city, stating she had made Leicester her home and Britain her country.
Her family has requested privacy at this time, with details of her memorial service yet to be announced.
