Asha Priya Kapoor

Asha Priya Kapoor was born in Mumbai, India, in 1970, and her journey took her to Chicago, where she became a fierce advocate for immigrant rights. As a social worker, she spent her career fighting for families navigating the complexities of a new country, often working late into the night to secure legal aid or housing. Her office was cluttered with thank-you notes from clients, each one a testament to her relentless spirit. Asha was a single mother to her daughter, Meera, who she raised with a blend of strict love and endless storytelling. She’d weave tales of ancient Indian folklore on their tiny balcony, always ending with a lesson about bravery. Her odd habit of collecting mismatched socks—claiming they had ‘stories of their own’—became a running joke in the family. Meera remembers her mother wearing one polka-dot and one striped sock to a court hearing, unfazed by the stares. At just 55, Asha’s life was cut short by a sudden illness, leaving a community in mourning. Her colleagues have vowed to continue her work, inspired by her mantra, ‘Change begins with one voice.’ Her daughter holds tight to the memory of their last Diwali, lighting lamps together as Asha whispered, ‘Keep the light burning.’