Sumiti Mehta, a Sacramento-based parent and author made history last month when she was sworn in as a Trustee on the Natomas Unified School District Board on December 13, 2024. Mehta became the first South Asian woman to win election to this seat and the first Indian-American woman to win an elected position in the City of Sacramento.
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State Senator Angelique Ashby administered the oath of office to Mehta, a first-generation immigrant who was born and raised in India before immigrating to the United States. She moved to Natomas 14 years ago and has actively participated in the Natomas school district since 2009, serving on multiple committees. This was Mehta’s second campaign after her first unsuccessful attempt in 2020.
“Over the past 13 years, I’ve dedicated over 3,000 volunteer hours in classrooms across the Natomas Unified School District. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities within our schools,” she said in an email interview.
Her priorities for the next four years are enhancing safety and mental health support for students, advocating for inclusive policies that increase resources to underperforming schools, supporting teachers and staff, and increasing transparency in the Board’s decision-making process.
“The growing participation of the Indian-American diaspora in politics is a testament to the value of diverse perspectives in shaping policies that reflect the needs of all communities,” she said. “Representation matters, and I am proud to contribute to a legacy of inclusion and empowerment that encourages more voices at the decision-making table.”