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Austin South Asian | September 2020
Why South Asian American Women Must Vote This November (Continued From Page 01) years to actually be given the right to vote in 1965 (except in California, Illinois, and New York where it happened earlier).
South Asian American women are a part of this highly influential group.
Since 2000, the citizen votingage population (CVAP) of women of color has increased by 59 percent—a gain of more than 13.5 million potential votes.
To understand their rights to vote they must dive into the history of Suffrage and fortunately with the centennial of Suffrage this month (18 August), there is enough information available to go through key facts. It’s also perfect timing to go through historical data especially because this is the year Americans go to the polls in November to elect their representatives and affect the future of their country.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women are the fastest growing and perhaps the most diverse racial demographic of women voters in the United States. These voters have roots in dozens of different countries and possess multitudes of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. (Americanprogress.org)
In simple language, here are some reasons why South Asian women must
take the time to vote this year. They are condensed from an outline written by Alice Stone Blackwell, one-time editor of the Women’s Journal around 1896. For full details go to Progressive Era to New Era (1900-1929), Library of Congress. 1. Because it is fair that those who pay taxes and obey the law must have a say in making them. 2. Because legislation that women desire would come more easily if they voted. 3. Because laws they don’t favor would be amended more quickly. 4. Because disenfranchisement helps keep wages down. 5. Because the proportion of highly educated voters would go up. 6. Because it would increase moral and law-abiding vote. 7. Because it would lead to fairer
treatment of women in every sector. 8. Because it influences public affairs. 9. Because it would increase influence on legislation regarding protection of children. 10. Because it would make it harder for notorious candidates to get elected. 11. Because it would increase women’s influence. 12. Because it would boost women’s confidence. 13. Because it would help women who need help get it. 14. Because it is a maxim in war. 15. Because it has proved to be good! With US Senator Kamala Harris (CA) on the Vice-Presidential Democratic ticket, a woman of South Asian descent, it becomes imperative that South Asian women go out and show full support.
Meet Judge Dimple Malhotra Of Travis County Court At Law #4 By Sumaiya Malik @sumaiyasaidthis Judge Dimple Malhotra is the first and only Asian American female Judge in Travis County. She emerged as a clear winner in the Democratic runoff on July 14 for Travis County Court at Law #4 with 55% of the votes. Malhotra comes to the prestigious position of Judge with perseverance, compassion and empathy, along with a desire to serve the community. Her term will last four years. Judge Dimple Malhotra’s life is a living example of the American Dream. Born in India, she moved to the US with her parents at a young age — her mother arriving first to work as a nurse. Malhotra attended UT Austin for both undergraduate studies and for law school. Her career took her and her husband, who she met at UT Law, to California in 1998 only to return to Austin in 2004. Throughout, she worked in nonprofits or for
the government and accumulated years of experience dealing with domestic violence and family abuse cases.
Malhotra presides over is a specialty court that deals almost exclusively in misdemeanor domestic violence cases.
The Travis County Court Judge
The court also oversees a diversion program for people charged w i t h prostitution called Phoenix Court. The day after her election, Sumaiya Malik of Austin South Asian spoke w i t h M a l hotra about her candidacy a n d future
plans as a judge: SM: Congratulations on the big win! Could you tell us more about your role? JDM: Thank you! The Travis County Court is a civil court which hears bench trials and jury trials. It is a specialty court which hears misdemeanor and domestic violence cases. I handle a docket of 3K to 4K cases of domestic violence every year. I preside over the protective order docket. I hear those who say they have experienced assault harassment. There are hearings on Fridays. This hasn’t stopped [even in time of Covid-19 pandemic]. Violence has [in fact] increased in pandemic. [I also oversee] the Phoenix Court – Whenever participants are arrested for prostitution, we address the issues leading to prostitution. Prostitution is a form of human trafficking. We need to address prostitution and victims of sexual assault at a young age.
SM: How did you start working for the government? JDM: My career in the government started as a non-profit staff attorney at the Women’s Advocacy Project. [Later] I ended up at the Travis County Attorney’s office in the prosecutor position, handling new arrests related to family violence cases. Eventually I became Chief Prosecutor and then Head of family violence cases. When Judge Denton [the prior Judge at Travis County Court at Law #4] retired, I went through the selection process [to take his place]. The seat had to be filled… Nineteen people applied including my opponent [Margaret Chen Kercher]. Most of them were defense lawyers. Only one prosecutor of violent crimes. A couple of us had experience and I was one of them. (Continued On Page 13)