Indian-American political activist Shefali Razdan Duggal was confirmed as the country's next envoy to the Netherlands by the US Senate.
Razdan Duggal, 50, was confirmed by a voice vote along with two other confirmations to senior administrative positions.
A Kashmiri Pandit, Razdan Duggal was born in Haridwar and moved with her family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the age of two. Thereafter she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of five, where she grew up. She graduated from Miami University and earned her master's from New York University.
"I was born in India, but I was made in the United States," Razdan Duggal told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing in July.
An experienced political activist, women's rights advocate, and human rights, campaigner, Razdan Duggal is a former presidential Appointee to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council and continues to serve as a Western Regional Advisor.
She is a San Francisco Committee member of Human Rights Watch, a member of the Wake Forest University Leadership and Character Council, and served on the National Board of Directors for Emily's List.
"I have full confidence that kindness, empathy, honesty and sweat equity mean something in our country. While my story is not unique, it is one that represents the infinite possibilities of the American spirit and the American dream," Razdan Duggal said.
During her confirmation hearing testimony Razdan Duggal said, as an immigrant, she represents the diverse face of the United States and the generations of people throughout its history who found an opportunity in the US.
"I was raised by a single mom in Cincinnati who worked two minimum wage jobs to support us. My father left us when I was very young and that in this profoundly and permanently affected the direction of my life," she told the lawmakers.
Razdan Duggal is the recipient of numerous civic awards, including being recognised with the Western Regional Leadership Award by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, as a Community Hero by the California State Assembly, and as one of the Most Powerful Women in California by the National Diversity Council.
She served as National Co-Chair of Women for Biden, and as a Deputy National Finance Chair at the Democratic National Committee.
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