Councillor Manjula Sood

Manjula Sood was elected to Leicerster City Council in October 1996 and is currently Lord Mayor of the city – the first Asian woman to hold this role in the UK.  She stood for the council following the death of her councillor husband when she was asked to consider standing for his seat on the council.

She finds the rewards of being councillor are being able to help her community, being a voice for the community and the ability to help people engage in local democracy. Her achievements as role model for other women was recognised when she became the first Asian female to receive the Leicester and Rutland Women of the Year Award for 2006.

“The most difficult thing about being a councillor is the lack of support mechanisms once you are in post. It is testing to access the services and find your way around the structures of a unitary council. I look after my 85-year-old mother so juggling caring responsibilities with my work as a councillor is also a challenge.”

Prior to her political career, Councillor Sood was a school teacher for almost 20 years. She motivated her son to get involved in local democracy; he is now a councillor and has been selected as prospective parliamentary candidate.

Her ethnic background is Indian.