Meet Syeda Reshma Inamdar, who joined the Fremont, Newark, Union City League in the 1990s to learn how to participate in civic life. Now, as a well known community activist, she leads others to make a difference in democracy through participation.

We sat down with Syeda to hear more about her League journey. After attending a League meeting at her local library, Syeda was asked to join the board as the communications chair and later treasurer and worked in this role until she took some time off to welcome her son and compete her CPA certification. The events surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks inspired Syeda to return to the League. Syeda told us that, “As a muslim, I felt I needed to be here and encourage more participation in our democratic republic. There are so many places in our world where you can speak out and be jailed, and I was motivated to nurture our democracy.” .

As a local League leader, Syeda supported efforts to inform community members through voter education, memorably, using a grant from the San Francisco Foundation to reach Muslim, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voters. Syeda appreciated her her local Leagues election monitoring efforts at a nearby Sikh Temple due to internal board issues. “Teaching others about democracy and how to have direct access to elected officials is essential for our democracy” Syeda shared.

As the current chair of the Alameda County Council, Syeda helps coordinate the work of six local Leagues across the Bay Area. For example, these Leagues are working on county oversight of the Sheriff’s Office through AB 1185 (McCarty, 2020). The Council also provides feedback on county redistricting. Syeda hopes they can prioritize climate action efforts in the near future.

Of the many roles Syeda has held, she fondly recalls her term on the LWVC Board during the effort to pass Proposition 11, the Voters First Initiative (2008) as well as her local League Presidency during her League’s 50th anniversary events as well as the National League’s 100th anniversary year celebrations.

Regarding the League’s history, she says, “Our history is definitely inspirational - these really strong willed women persisted in their decades long efforts” adding “I know that we have had controversial history because of our exclusion of our African American sisters and other minorities, but I’m glad to see that there has been acknowledgement of this in order to make the league more accessible and open to everyone–critical to the League's ongoing efficacy and survival”.

Looking toward the future of the League, Syeda hopes the League will do more intense outreach to help with the aging membership–especially to young people and diverse populations throughout California.

Why join the League right now?

“We are the watchdogs of democracy. We need to focus on the issues–our way of life depends on it. Our country depends on the protection of our democratic institutions. I have strongly spoken up for everyone I know to join the League”.

Who does Syeda look to for inspiration? In 2017 she met Former President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalind Carter as a supporter of the Carter Center and square danced with Jimmy Carter. “I think he is filled with integrity and loves our nation and democratic process. He was ahead of his time with solar and has a lot of foresight and done fabulous work after his term in office” she said. “His books continue to empower my work in the League” she added.

In her spare time Syeda also volunteers with the Rotary Club and spends time with her daughter, Allia, and two grandkids Nasser and Maya. She is also on advisory committees in Fremont as well as being part of the leadership team for the Tricity Interfaith Council. A former CPA, she also works in real estate investments and management.