#RepresentationMatters

When President Biden chose Kamala Devi Harris as his running mate, all women across America celebrated the historic moment. But it was Black women and South Asian women like me who could not stop their tears. Never had I imagined that I would see someone who looked like me elected as Vice President of the United States. That’s what true representation is — inclusion of the diversity of this nation in the rooms of power where decisions are made. It’s why I fight every day, in New Jersey and elsewhere, to ensure that diversity has not only a seat, but a voice at the table.

Born and raised in India, I learned at a young age to speak up and challenge the status quo, to fight for the opportunities I wanted. Now I use my platform and that voice to advocate for those who are under-represented and often have no voice. To raise awareness regarding period poverty and stigma, I founded Equality, Period, NJ, the first statewide coalition working to achieve menstrual equity that is currently focusing on legislation to provide free menstrual products in NJ public schools. Currently, I serve as Vice President of Commuications and Director of Public Policy for the American Association of University Women of New Jersey, I also serve on the Board of Directors of National NOW where I co-founded the first Asian and Pacific American Caucus for NOW and authored two resolutions on Anti-Asian hate and Menstrual Equity that were adopted last year.

In 2021 I was the Democratic candidate for the New Jersey General Assembly for my legislative district and am a founding cabinet member for the newly relaunched Emerge NJ.  I was appointed by Governor Phil Murpyy to the New Jersey Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and the New Jersey-India Commission. In 2020, I earned my certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and currently serve on the Union County Advisory Board on the Status of Minorities.

I came to New Jersey as a teen to pursue higher education and received a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Science from Stevens Institute of Technology in the field of Computer Science. After seven years as a software consultant, I obtained a Certification in Digital Design from Parsons School of Design and started my own freelance design business. In addition to my other duties, I serve on the Board of Trustees of my local community college —Union College of Union County, NJ.

For too long, women of color have been left behind by the mainstream feminist movement. To grow and sustain our movement, we must stay united in the fight for equality and be intentional in our outreach to women of the ‘new American majority’ which consists of communities of color, young feminists, LGBTQIA folk, and people with disabilities. Join me today in the fight for equity and representation.