Aruna Miller records history, by becoming the first Indian-American politician to be sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, a state that borders the US capital. A 58-year-old Democrat and former representative to the Maryland House, created history when she was elected as the state's 10th lieutenant governor.
When the Governor is absent or unable to serve, the Lieutenant Governor fills in as the state's second-highest elected official. In her inauguration speech, Aruna, born in Andhra Pradesh, recognised her family who immigrated to the United States from India when she was seven.
“I spent most of my life trying to fit in the space that didn’t have me and mine, as an immigrant growing up in a new country, or as a female engineer in a male dominated field, as an Indian American legislator in a legislature that looked nothing like me. It took me a long time to realise that it was never about needing to fit into a space created by others. It was always about having the courage to be my authentic self in every space,” she said.
“Maryland, I am humbled and honoured to be your Lieutenant Governor. We are only just getting started!” Miller tweeted. In the Senate chamber of the State House in Annapolis, she took the oath of office alongside members of her family, the newly elected Governor Wes Moore, and state legislators. She then addressed the cheering audience outside historic building. Moore became Maryland’s 63rd governor, the state’s first and the country’s only current Black chief executive.