Foster City appointed a woman of color to the role of mayor for the first time in its 50-year history on Monday.
The city just celebrated its 50th anniversary this past year in April. In Foster City, residents only directly elect city council members, while the mayor is appointed each yet from the city council, by the city council.
Earlier this week, the city council voted to make Richa Awasthi the first Indian American woman mayor of the city.
Awasthi ran for the city council in 2018 and is looking forward to starting her duties as mayor. "It feels great, it’s very exciting," she told KCBS Radio in an interview on Thursday. "I feel very responsible and somewhat overwhelmed, to be able to do an even greater job as a mayor, fulfill the obligations of the position and do an outstanding job representing everyone."
In the city's 50 year history, there have been other minority mayors and female mayors, but Awasthi is the first female of color. "We have an opportunity for many more to step up," she said. "I am the first one, but I hope that this will continue."
"I hope that I’m able to inspire others and that I'm able to demonstrate to others the value of taking on these roles and the value of giving back to the community," said Awasthi.
There is a lot of work ahead, but Awasthi is optimistic. "We’ve had a difficult last few years," she said. "I would like this year to be the year that we truly live up to our potential."
She has already outlined areas she's hoping to focus on, including infrastructure, business revitalization and building private-public partnerships.
Her term will end next December, where she will have the option to be reappointed.