Mayawati (1956–)

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Mayawati (1956–)

Indian politician. Name variations: Behenji (means sister); Ms. Mayawati. Born Jan 15, 1956, in Badalpur village of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, into the low-caste Hindu Jatav, or Chamar, community; like many Dalit women, has only one name; graduate of Delhi University; never married.

Began career as a schoolteacher; in Uttar Pradesh, as a member of the Bahujuan Samaj Party, became the 1st Dalit woman to serve as chief minister of an Indian State (1995); returned (1997 and 2002); elected to Parliament (1996).