Human rights campaigner, community activist, and author Zerbanoo Gifford was born in India on May 11 1950 and raised in London. Zerbanoo is married to Richard, an international lawyer, and they have two sons - Mark and Alex, better known as Wags. Zerbanoo made history by being elected as the first non-white woman Liberal councillor in 1982, and is acknowledged as a pioneer for Asian women in public life. She has stood three times for parliament, and is described as a “political fireball.”

Zerbanoo holds the Nehru Centenary award for her international work, championing the rights of women, children and minorities. A former advisor to the British Home Secretary, and a Member of the Race Relations Forum, she has chaired the Commission, ‘Looking into ethnic minority involvement in British Life’. Zerbanoo is a dynamic speaker, and often appears in the media as a commentator on current affairs.

She has authored numerous books, including Confessions to a Serial Womaniser - Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women; The Golden Thread; Asian Experiences in post-Raj Britain; Dadabhai Naoroji: Britain’s first non-white Member of Parliament; Thomas Clarkson, and the Campaign Against The Slave Trade; Asian Presence in Europe; and Celebrating India’s 50 Year Anniversary, which accompanied a television series.

A patron of numerous international organisations, Zerbanoo is the Founder Director of the ASHA Foundation, which encourages and supports philanthropy worldwide and works for interfaith and intercultural understanding. Previously, Zerbanoo helped set up Charities Aid Foundation in India. She has been the director of Anti-Slavery International, London Organiser for Shelter and patron of many international charities, including United Religions.

In 2004, Zerbanoo was awarded a fellowship from NESTA (National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts). With the belief that women can bring stability and peace to the world, Zerbanoo has dedicated her fellowship to connecting influential and inspiring women worldwide. The website, ‘Women: A World of Inspiration’ initiated by Zerbanoo, is a prelude to a book on the same theme. It aims to engage individuals and organisations to network globally, and offer their skills for humanitarian work across international, cultural and religious boundaries.

In 2006 Zerbanoo Gifford was honoured with ZEE TV's "International Woman of the Year Award" for her humanitarian work worldwide.

www.zerbanoogifford.org