New Jersey Township gets its first Indian-American Sikh mayor

She was presented with the oath of office by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.

In her new role, Singh will chair the meetings of the Township Committee and will have the authority to appoint subcommittees with the approval of the committee.

New York: Neena Singh is the first Sikh and Indian-American woman to be sworn in as mayor of Montgomery Township, New Jersey. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman administered her oath of office during the Montgomery Township Reorganization Meeting on January 4. Singh, who has lived in Montgomery for 24 years, was unanimously selected as mayor by her fellow Township Committee members.

“It is a tremendous privilege to be sworn in by trailblazing Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman as the first elected female Sikh mayor in New Jersey and the first Indian-American female mayor,” said Mayor Neena Singh.

“What energizes and motivates me is the spirit of service. I believe we all have a responsibility to give back, and I am blessed to be able to do that in a city that reflects the diversity of America,” said Singh, whose 2024 priorities include public safety and health.

Having previously served as deputy mayor and city manager, Singh was nominated for the position by outgoing Mayor Devra Keenan and committeewoman Patricia Taylor Todd.

As executive officer at STAND Central NJ, a grassroots nonprofit, she worked not only to engage and educate voters, but also to empower them to participate in the democratic process.

“Neena Singh embodies commitment to public service. She has made it her life’s work to fight for social justice, economic opportunity and human rights for all. I am confident she will bring her experience and passion for the township to her term as mayor,” Watson Coleman said in a statement.

In her new role, Singh will chair the meetings of the Township Committee and will have the authority to appoint subcommittees with the approval of the committee. In addition, she will also have the power to issue proclamations on holidays and events of significance in the township, and to exercise the ceremonial power of the township.

Indian-American Senator Vin Gopal of New Jersey sent a congratulatory video, calling Singh a “role model” for South Asian girls across the state, news outlet My Central Jersey reported.

“For every young South Asian girl growing up not only in Montgomery but throughout New Jersey, she will have a true role model to look up to,” Gopal said.

Vincent P. Barragan, who was appointed deputy mayor, said he was “proud and humbled to serve with such a diverse team of individuals.”