Passion, purpose, and the colour red: Jenifer Rajkumar reflects on her journey
New York City, NY, USA: During a civic Diwali event hosted by Hindus of DFW as part of her National Diwali Tour, New India Abroad spoke exclusively with Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar about her identity and experiences as an Indian-American woman in U.S. politics.
Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Asian-American woman elected to the New York State Assembly, begins her mornings with the Gayatri Mantra. She has a strong admiration for art and poetry and is also a fan of Lady Gaga. Her affinity for the colour red stems from its deep cultural meaning in Hindu traditions.
In the interview, she reflected on her family’s modest roots—her mother grew up in a mud hut in India, and her parents migrated to the U.S. with only $300. Today, she proudly carries the distinction of being the first Indian-origin woman elected to public office in New York, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities she has found in America.
Popularly known as the “Lady in Red,” Rajkumar explained that the colour symbolises passion and purpose for her, and she believes it has opened many doors. She added that red holds importance across various cultures—not only in Hinduism but also in Latino communities—something she feels strengthens her leadership presence.
Although red remains her trademark colour, she enjoys wearing attire that reflects diverse cultures. She switches between traditional and contemporary outfits depending on the event—donning green on St. Patrick’s Day, bright yellow lehengas at Indian weddings, and cultural clothing at programs organised by Nepali, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities. She often changes her outfits several times a day to honour the cultural settings of the events she attends.
When speaking about navigating challenges as an Indian-American woman in a male-dominated political landscape, she cited Shirley Chisholm as one of her inspirations. Rajkumar referenced Chisholm’s iconic words: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” expressing her own commitment to creating space with humility and determination.
Discussing her shift from law to public service, Rajkumar explained that her time at Stanford Law School motivated her to pursue a career as a public interest attorney. She later became a civil rights lawyer, and her first major case—focused on women’s rights—shaped her understanding of the need for real influence and authority to create meaningful change. This realisation guided her path toward politics.
Rajkumar highlighted several of her legislative accomplishments, including securing legal assistance for all immigrants in New York, banning the sale of illegal drugs to minors in smoke shops, speeding up infrastructure improvements, and advocating for domestic workers, especially women of colour and immigrant women.
Speaking about her National Diwali Tour, she described making Diwali a school holiday in New York City as turning “the impossible into the possible.” She recalled mobilising hundreds of Indian-Americans who rallied with chants of “Diwali holiday,” helping the movement gain momentum across the state.
Though she was born in the U.S. and remembers the famous “Born in the USA” song, she remains deeply connected to her Punjabi heritage, cherishing her early visits to India and the cultural influences she carries with her.
When asked how she planned to blend Indian traditions into Thanksgiving, Rajkumar shared that she would observe a “service Thanksgiving” by volunteering with her family in New York. She emphasised her commitment to serving the community, saying she will be distributing turkeys to families in her district to ensure everyone has the chance to enjoy a festive meal. She concluded by noting that generosity is a shared value among Sikh and Hindu communities, regardless of background or circumstance.
