"I wouldn't do what I was told...I've always done what I believe is right."
Wow, what can I say about Mimi? She was born in India and moved to the UK with her mother when she was 4 months old. Mimi grew up very shy and introverted but when she moved to Buckinghamshire and realised there was a local housing crisis, she dedicated her time to campaigning for a solution and was elected to the local council in 1999.
In 2000, she even won a High Court case to change the housing laws, a campaign 5 years in the making, and she hasn't stopped helping her community since!
Mimi has done so many incredible things, I'm not sure when she's had time to sleep! She was the first Asian woman to be elected to council and since then, has set up many international women's groups for women of different races and ethnicities, including a female-only swimming session at the local swimming pool. She also holds regular street parties and BBQs for her neighbours.
Mimi wanted to take part in 30 Days of FIERCE to celebrate all her achievements and to mark the end of an era, as her time as chairwoman of her local council came to an end in May. During her campaigning and fundraising, Mimi has really come out of her shell. Having to fight to stand up for what she believes in and survive in a political world dominated by men, Mimi has been able to make sure her voice is heard and to see the change she believes her community deserves. She cites the support from her family as the reason for her success.
It was her tireless campaigning and dedication to getting more women into politics that saw her awarded and OBE in 2011. In fact, she nearly threw away the letter telling her about the award because she thought it was junk mail!
With a string of achievements behind her, including seeing the 12A film classification come into effect nation-wide and being ambassadors for both the Duke of Edinburgh award and the Girl Guides, Mimi's latest fundraising campaign is to raise £10,000 for Dream Flight, which sends children in need to Disney World, Orlando.
This photoshoot marks a new chapter in Mimi's life and I can't wait to see what she does next!
