Civically Minded

Born in Kolkata and left in an orphanage, Shasti Conrad is making history in Washington State

By Abhijit Masih

The Washington State Democratic Party selected Shasti Conrad as its chair in January this year. At 38, she is the youngest and the first woman of color to serve as chair in the state party’s history. Left outside an orphanage in Kolkata, India as a baby she was adopted by a single white woman and was raised in rural Oregon. She spoke to SEEMA about growing up as an Indian in a white family and her political journey.

Born in India, adopted and raised in the US

I was born in Kolkata. I was left outside an orphanage and adopted quickly. I left India when I was two months old and moved to the United States where I was raised by a single mom in Oregon. I was raised with a connection to India, with my heritage and where I came from. My mom made sure I had access to books and history and that it was a point of pride to come from India.

Growing up in a rural white town

I grew up on a farm in a rural town in Oregon with fewer than 15,000 people as one of the few Asian folks in the community. My mom wanted me to have this strong connection to India as a way to push back against the lack of diversity. It was difficult at times, because I just wanted to be like a normal American girl and I didn’t want to be different.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate and love my story. I’m proud to have been born in India, to be adopted, and to straddle these two different cultures.

Developing an interest in politics

My grandmother was British and had to earn her citizenship to the United States, which she got in her 50s. She took a lot of pride in voting and in community organizing work. When I was a kid, my grandma would take me to the polling place and into various volunteer activities. I believed that being engaged in politics was what you did. That’s how you gave back.

The importance of representation

I grew up when our models for leadership were mostly white men. They didn’t look like me. They didn’t think about the experiences folks like me were having and we weren’t reflected.

People of color and women, young people, poor people, who were just constantly being left behind. My big dream is that we actually get to see ourselves in numbers. Not being at the table means that your entire community isn’t reflected in the decisions that are getting made. One of my sayings is, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” The Asian community is realizing that and seeing there’s real opportunity here.

Her most treasured moment

I worked in the Obama administration for two years. At the end of your tenure, you got to take a departure photo with the President in the Oval Office and bring your family. I was able to invite my mom — who had raised me on her own as a working parent — to the White House and introduce her to the President. She was so proud.