Human rights campaigner, community activist, and author Zerbanoo Gifford was born in India on May 11 1950 and raised in London. Zerbanoo made history by being elected as the first non-white woman Liberal councillor in 1982, and is acknowledged as a pioneer for Asian women in public life. She has stood three times for parliament, and is described as a "political fireball." She is truly a woman of Today.
Career
- A former advisor to the British Home Secretary
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- Member of the Race Relations Forum
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- She has chaired the Commission, 'Looking into ethnic minority involvement in British Life'.
- Appears in the media as a commentator on current affairs.
- Founder Director of the ASHA Foundation, which encourages and supports philanthropy worldwide and works for interfaith and intercultural understanding. Helped set up Charities Aid Foundation in India.
- She has been the director of Anti-Slavery International, London Organiser for Shelter and patron of many international charities, including United Religions
Literary Works
- She has authored numerous books, including The Golden Thread; Asian Experiences in post-Raj Britain; Dadabhai Naoroji: Britain's first non-white Member of Parliament; Thomas Clarkson, and the Campaign Against The Slave Trade; Asian Presence in Europe; and Celebrating India's 50 Year Anniversary, which accompanied a television series.
- The website, 'Women: A World of Inspiration' initiated by Zerbanoo, is a prelude to a book on the same theme.
Awards
- Holds the Nehru Centenary award for her international work, championing the rights of women, children and minorities.
- 2004: Awarded a fellowship from NESTA (National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts).
- 2006: Honoured with ZEE TV's "International Woman of the Year Award
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