Posts in policy women
Uplifting Women: Rukmini Karki, Asian Task Force and Nepali Women Global Network, Shares Her Journey

“The bright smiles on my clients faces reminds me of a quote, which always inspires me, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”. Being a senior advocate at ATASK and helping people in need have always had a special and strong bond with me!” Today’s woman dreamer, Rukmini Karki, is a Senior Advocate at Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, and Past President of Nepali Women Global Network. A speaker of five languages, Rukmini empowers and uplifts women and vulnerable communities. She shares how at the age of 13, she saw discrimination in action, and how her mother inspired her to fight for global women empowerment. Enjoy her powerful story below.

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Becoming the Voice of the Silent, From Yahoo News to The Quint, The Life of a Video Journalist

Amy Goodman said, “Going to where the silence is, that is the responsibility of a journalist.” From lawyer to journalist, Today’s woman dreamer, Shibani Gokhale, wears many hats. Upon graduating from Columbia with a Masters in Journalism, Shibani shares her exciting life contributing stories to publications including Yahoo News, and The Quint, and her own show, “Broken Down”. Shibani writes, “I love being a voice for the silent. I love shedding light on issues that the general population is not even aware of. I genuinely enjoy making my videos. I enjoy the process of pitching, scripting, hosting, filming and editing.” Ever wondered what the life of a news producer and Law/Policy Journalist is like? Enjoy Shibani’s story below.

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From Trinidad and Tobago to International Human Rights: A Female Lawyer's Powerful Story

“I became the first female of Trinidadian origins to be awarded the Schuette fellowship in Global Health and Human Rights.” Today’s woman dreamer, Nesha Abiraj, is an International Human Rights Lawyer, fighting for women, children, and refugees, working with global organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Unicef, Nesha shares how she built her career, adversities faced along the way, and the essential role male allies can play in the fight for human rights. Enjoy her powerful story below!

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Kesha Ram Makes History: Becoming the Youngest and First Woman of Color to Serve in the Senate, Vermont 2021

“When I first won a seat in the Vermont Legislature at the age of 22, I called my Dadiji (Grand-mother) to tell her, and she asked if I could go back to singing instead. She would rather me be a starving artist than a politician!” Today’s woman dreamer, Senator Kesha Ram, of Vermont, is making history, becoming the youngest, and first woman of color to serve in the senate. Born in LA to a Hindu Father and a Jewish Mother who ran an Irish Pub, Kesha shares her exciting life story, including what inspired her to pursue politics, how she advocates for people of color, and the values her family instilled in her. Enjoy!

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The Power of a Story: Mariya Taher Shares the Story Behind Her Powerful Fight to End Gender-Based Violence and the Founding of Sahiyo

“We have seen how our storytelling has had a ripple effect in encouraging more and more survivors from many different communities.” Today’s woman dreamer, Mariya Taher, is the founder of Sahiyo, an NGO fighting for women’s rights and ending gender-based violence. Based on her own personal experience, Mariya seeks to empower other women to share their stories. In 2018, she received the Human Rights Storytellers Award from the Muslim American Leadership Alliance and in 2020, she was recognized as one of the six inaugural grant recipients for the Crave Foundation for Women. An Incredible Story-teller, her work has been showcased in NPR’s Code Switch, HuffPost, Brown Girl Magazine, The Express Tribune, and The San Francisco Examiner, to name a view. Mariya is a true trailblazer, “creating a better and brighter world for future generations of girls”, and we are honored to share her story.

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The Life Lessons of a Diplomat's Wife: Protocols, Responsibilities, Living All Over the World, and Helping Global Communities

“Little did I know that moving to Ramallah was going to give me the greatest and most rewarding personal change. Due to our common oriental customs and traditions, I was able to really relate to the women of Palestine. We are the backbone of our societies and are committed to moving our people forward.” Today’s woman dreamer, Shalini Ahlawat, is accomplished in her own life. Before moving around the world as a wife of a diplomat, she lived her own life adventure. Shalini holds various high-level degrees including Maritime Trade from Queen Mary College in London, and has worked for 8 years as a shipbroker with a maritime shipping company. In 2009, Shalini’s destiny called and she changed direction and chose to become a wife, mother, and representative of India as a diplomat’s wife. “ Shalini shares the life lessons she has learned as the wife of a diplomat, the protocols and responsibilities, and how she seeks to help global communities.

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VOTE: Why Women Must Vote This Election Season From the Perspective of Leading Policy Professor Rollie Lal

“Voting is your loudest voice. Voting is your chance to say where you want this country to be in the future.” The 2020 Election is Here! It has been 100 years since women achieved the right to vote in the U.S. Yet in the 2016 election, only 63% of women sent in their ballots. Today’s woman dreamer, Rollie Lal, is an Associate Professor at George Washington University in Washington D.C. and she brings her expert opinion to why women must vote in today’s election. Enjoy her powerful insights! And don’t forget to vote!

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The Fight Continues for International Gender Equality with Dr. Shirley Graham, Director of George Washington University's Gender Equality Initiative

“How a country treats its women is an indicator of that country's stability, security and prosperity,” Today’s woman dreamer, Shirley Graham is the Director of George Washington University's Gender Equality Initiative for International Affairs. After several corporate roles and opportunities around the world, it was a trip to Nepal that changed everything, where a close friend encouraged Shirley to pursue her true passion for women’s rights. A true trailblazer fighting for women’s rights around the world, enjoy her powerful and informative story!

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A Woman Leader in Indian Foreign Service: Ambassador Sangeeta Bahadur, Embassy of Minsk, Belarus, Shares her Journey.

Today’s woman dreamer, Ambassador Sangeeta Bahadur, is a senior Indian Foreign Service Officer, currently posted as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Belarus. Born in Kolkata, she joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1987, and has been posted Indian diplomatic missions all over the world, including Spain, Bulgaria, Mexico, Belgium and UK. Additionally, she is a published author of speculative fiction, the Kaal Trilogy, and has received wide appreciation and has a dedicated fan-following. A True Woman Dreamer, Sangeeta shares what inspired her to pursue a career in foreign service, her experience living and working in different parts of the world, her passion for fiction writing, and how she seeks to empower other women in foreign service and policy. Enjoy her inspiring and captivating story.

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Rethinking Healthcare: Gender Gap and Activism, A Health Reform Pioneer's Perspective with Rosemarie Day.

Let’s Talk about Healthcare Reform. Today’s Woman Dreamer, Rosemarie Day, is a health reform pioneer. She is the founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies, a successful mission-driven, woman-owned consulting firm, and the author of Marching Towards Coverage: How Women Can Lead the Fight for Universal Healthcare . A true woman leader fighting for change, we are excited to share Rosemarie’s take on the healthcare system’s most pressing topics.

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Building 2200 Schools for Girls: Empowering The Communities of Balochistan Through Education with Dr. Quratul Ain Bakhteari

With a passion for education and empowerment. Dr. Quratul Ain Bakhteari spearheaded the founding of 2200 schools for women in the communities of Balochistan, changing the lives of women and children. A True Activist and Kind Soul, it is our honor to present you with our Dr. Bakhteari’s inspiring and though-provoking interview.

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