Saroj Lal (23rd April 1937- 12th March 2020)
Saroj Lal, born in Gujranwala Pakistan, was one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school in 1970. She trained as a teacher between 1969-70 at Moray House before teaching at South Morningside Primary in Edinburgh thus opening the doors for women of colour in education.
Saroj Lal was also one of Scotland’s pioneering race relations activists, feminists and equality campaigners in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, latterly as Director of Lothian Racial Equality Council. She was a trailblazer in fighting for fairness for all, and in particular for disadvantaged and marginalised Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women.
Her trailblazing work with Lothian and Borders Police helped monitor racist attacks and develop Police training. She was also the first Asian woman in Scotland to be appointed as a Justice of the Peace, in 1986.
She went on to be the driving force behind the founding and development of the Edinburgh Hindu Temple as well as many initiatives across Edinburgh including the setting up of the first translating service in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh University has honoured her with the release of the Saroj Lal Scholarship for BAME students applying to the PGDE programme.
Find out further information about this unique teacher by clicking the link below: https://sarojlal.com/
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Credit: YWCA Scotland, BBC News, Edinburgh Uni Alumni, Saroj Lal Scholarship