Uma Sengupta, a prominent Indian American educator, activist, and community leader who passed away in March of the previous year, has been posthumously recognized with a street sign in her honor in Queens, New York.
The street co-naming ceremony took place on October 16 at the intersection of 152nd Street and Union Turnpike in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens, attended by elected officials, friends, family, and admirers of Uma Sengupta. Among the notable attendees was New York Attorney General Letitia James, who expressed her pride in commemorating Uma’s dedication to social, racial, and economic justice.
City Council member James F. Gennaro, the author of the Council resolution to honor Sengupta, described her as a well-known activist with decades of community service. He emphasized her trailblazing role in Queens and beyond, hoping that the street sign would serve as a lasting reminder of her remarkable legacy.
Sumit, Sengupta’s son, fondly referred to his mother as a pioneer for women, educators, and underserved immigrant groups, endearingly calling her the “mother of the community.” The family envisions that the street sign will radiate the warmth of a mother’s encouragement, inspiring New Yorkers and visitors to continue her legacy of community development, philanthropy, and societal progress.
Over six decades ago, Uma Sengupta and her husband, the late Suprabhat Sengupta, arrived in New York with their three children, seeking a new life. She went on to establish a Montessori School in Flushing, which offered high-quality early childhood education for more than 38 years. Additionally, she played a vital role in advocating for the Indian American community, striving to ensure their representation, access, and equity.
In a historic moment in January 2004, Uma Sengupta achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian American woman to be sworn in as the Democratic Party District Leader of the 25th Assembly District, Part B, in Queens. Her impact on the community and dedication to social justice continue to be celebrated through this street sign in her memory.
