March 8th

Happy International Women's Day!

A day to celebrate the achievements of women all around the world. A day to reflect on the hardships that women have faced and continue to face everywhere. A day to push forth the effort to understand and educate people about gender equality, sexuality, socioeconomic environments, and many more social issues that involve the current and future generations of women.

It is quite a privilege to be born on this day of empowerment, and it does put a responsibility on me to always support women in all walks of life. Coming from a South Asian background, there have been and still are setbacks to being a woman. Even in 2021, there is a lack of basic human rights for women in many parts around the world, and much of it has to do with the centuries-long South Asian culture, where women were put on the sidelines and discouraged from doing a lot of things. The demeaning culture not only lowers the self-esteem of women but also does not allow new opportunities to develop for the betterment of the future.

To solve these issues, we must take a look at the root of the problem and the several branches that aid in enhancing these issues instead of changing them positively. The root problem in South Asia is the mindset of the culture, and this mindset is so imprinted within the people, that it will take a lot more than protesting or petitioning to shift. Certain things are literally laser-engraved and our goal is not to completely take the laser away but to change what is being engraved. The main branch that enhances these issues is the media, and that can be anything from movies to books, news channels, TV programs, talk shows, etc. Children are heavily influenced by media outlets and if those outlets are not displaying the correct material, it can make it more difficult to shift the mindset of the future generation.

I had the opportunity to participate in a marvelous workshop today: "Kendra Scott WEL Institute International Women's Day 2021" through the University of Texas Education System, where we discussed women-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs, running a business, proposing a pitch, etc. there was such affluence of information that I have never felt so productive in a single day. Thank you to KSWEL for hosting this session! I will link their page here: Kendra Scott Institute | What Starts Here Changes the World (utexas.edu). Here are some of the main take-aways I noted from this workshop in regards to business and women overall:

- Who is it that people tend to remember in the end? The builder of a building is less known than the architect unless that builder is able to rise above and be known.

- Imposter syndrome when starting a business or working in a company that is not balanced is normal, especially for women because our society is so patriarchal. The best things to do are: lean into it, don't take all comments personally, shift your mindset to benefit your position, push yourself to unknown boundaries, make mistakes early and often.

- Never burn bridges: connections always come back sooner or later in the future, and you might need that support one day.

- Always remember what you can do! Don't let others sway your perspective for their personal gain.

- If 10 doors are closed, 1 will always be open.

- Give words of encouragement to other women, always! Because when one woman grows, it opens an entire universe to others.

- Get active! This builds connections and gives you experience, especially in your field of interest.

- Represent your roots!

There are so many more things for women to accomplish and we have just begun! It's a new century, y'all! Support the women in your life and allow them to grow so that you can grow through them!! Wishing everyone a very blessed week!