Transgender activist Apsara Reddy made history this week by becoming the Indian National Congress party’s first transgender person to hold public office on a national level, reported Firstpost.
The Indian National Congress party, which is India’s oldest political party at 133 years old, appointed Reddy to national general secretary of its women’s wing, the All India Mahila Congress.
She was appointed by party president Rahul Gandhi, who said her “dynamic personality” would be an asset to the women’s wing.
Apsara Reddy has been appointed the first transgender National General Secretary of @MahilaCongress by Congress President @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/qDTZSgaoMH
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 8, 2019
“All my life, transgender women have been told that you’ll never be able to make it in your life,” Reddy told The Quint. “To be welcomed into one of India’s largest and oldest national parties is hugely emotional for me.
Reddy is a well-known transgender activist and journalist and has campaigned for women’s and children’s rights in the past.
While on the All India Mahila Congress, Reddy said she will work “towards women’s economic development, fighting against social injustices, helping women find their human rights, and help contribute to the Congress party’s manifesto with women-centric policies.”