Numerous Indian women have left their mark on the world. They’re not only successful in their chosen careers, but their achievements are being heralded around the world.
Eight of the many well-known Indian women in the United States from the last few decades will be discussed in today’s blog post. They have shown that any goal a girl sets for herself can be realized if she is given the freedom to make her own decisions. They have repeatedly proven that women can and should carry the torch if given the chance.
1. SHEELA MURTHY
After finding the courage to leave everyone and everything I knew, I am propelled as an immigrant to make the most of the opportunities before me” – Sheela Murthy
Sheela Murthy is an attorney, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and public speaker. She has built the Murthy Law Firm into one of the world’s preeminent immigration law practices, for which she has received widespread acclaim.
Sheela Murthy earned her LL.M. at Harvard Law School, making her eligible to practice law in New York, Maryland, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She sees the United States as a land of opportunity for anyone with a dream, the determination to see it through, and a positive outlook, and she is known for her boundless energy and optimism. She is an inspiration to other women who want to break into traditionally male-dominated fields like law.
2. JAGRUTI PANWALA
“Whether you are a boy or a girl, you have the opportunity in the world. So, never be afraid to work hard and follow your passion.” – Jagruti Panwala
Both historical women and mysterious women exist. Certainly, Jagruti Panwala belongs in the second group. Since the age of 22, she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to securing a successful future.
Panwala attended East Stroudsburg University on a full scholarship and ultimately earned a degree in Economics and Finance with Highest Honors. She entered the hospitality industry at the age of 22, when she bought her first hotel.
While also being honored at the 2018 American Bazaar Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders Gala, Jagruti made history as the first woman to hold the position of Vice-Chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. At the event, which was attended by dozens of influential Indian American women business owners and politicians, she was one of eight women leaders honored for their contributions. In 2019, she also won the “Women Leader of the Year” award.
She also devotes her time to teaching young people about Indian culture and language as a volunteer in the Indian American community. Her experience will hopefully inspire other women to pursue and achieve their goals.
Aruna Miller an inspiring Indian American Civil Engineer who has dedicated 25 years of her life to ease traffic congestion and enhance public safety in Maryland. Her passion for making a difference doesn’t stop there, as she has also filed nomination papers to run for the US Congress from a congressional seat in Maryland in 2018.
What I find so remarkable about Miller is her drive to open doors for aspiring kids, regardless of their background. As an immigrant herself, she understands the value of opportunities and wants to make sure that everyone has a chance to pursue their dreams. It’s no wonder why she’s considered a breath of fresh air in today’s political climate.
Miller’s leadership doesn’t discriminate between gender or age; she empowers women, men, and youth alike to be fearless and bold. Not only does she fight for the vulnerable, but she also motivates others, especially Indian Americans, to actively participate in making a difference.
In essence, Miller is a beacon of hope, encouraging others to step up and have their voices heard. She sets an example for all of us to follow, proving that with hard work and dedication, anyone can make a positive impact in their community.
4. JAYSHREE ULLAL
“You can be an entrepreneur and an executive. It all depends on your determination! – Jayshree Ullal”
Jayshree Ullal is a self-made billionaire businesswoman from India who lives in California. Jayshree, a networking executive who was born in London and grew up in India, has extensive experience in her field. She has always gone above and beyond what was expected of her. Ullal attended San Francisco State University for her undergraduate and graduate studies in electrical engineering, and she began her professional career at Advanced Micro Devices before moving on to Crescendo Communications.
Four-year-old cloud computing startup Arista Networks hired her as CEO and President in 2008. With Jayshree at the helm, Arista Networks went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. Since then, she has been unstoppable. A true motivation, she will accept nothing less than her goals.
5. ANJALI ANN RAMAKUMARAN
“Leadership is everything. It is about balancing the long-term vision with current reality, being eager to learn every day, and being open to new ideas and technologies. There is nothing in the world that females cannot do, all it requires is a push and courage!” – Anjali Ramakumaran
Anjali Ann Ramakumaran started Ampcus Inc. and serves as its CEO and founder. She is an innovator and entrepreneur with over 18 years of experience in the creation and distribution of cutting-edge technological products and services.
Ampcus is flourishing under her direction, and the company is rapidly expanding into new areas of expertise. Additionally, from 2008–2016, she was honored by the USPAACC as one of the best Asian American–owned businesses.
Growing up in India and then attending college in the United States has given Anjali invaluable insight into what it takes to achieve success. Anjali is always emphasizing the significance of role models and mentorship, despite her awareness of the difficulties. Her words of wisdom for budding female businesswomen? Maintain your resolve, patience, and determination. She thinks that in order to succeed, we must keep our focus steady no matter what comes our way. All the women out there with business aspirations will benefit from this guidance.
“Asian Girls have lots of potential which they have yet to discover. They all should look up to developed people and thrive every day to reach a grand level” – Suman Raghunathan
South Asian Americans Leading Together is led by Suman Raghunathan, who serves as its Executive Director. There, she directs SAALT’s overall initiatives to give a platform to the many South Asian Americans who are fighting for social justice in the United States. She is a devoted veteran of the fight for immigrant rights and has worked on a wide variety of the issues that SAALT focuses on.
Suman is well-versed in policy matters thanks to her experience at the ACLU, the Progressive States Network, and the New York Immigration Coalition.
Suman has a BA from Brown University in International Relations and an MA in Nonprofit Management from Milano, The New School for Management and Urban Policy. Suman, the daughter of Indian immigrants and the former Interim Executive Director of Chhaya Community Development Corporation, is now a member of Chhaya Community’s board of directors. Her bravery and determination showed that if you set your mind to something, nothing can stop you.
7. MADHULIKA GUHATHAKURTA
“Listen to your gut, follow your passion. Rest everything will fall before you so worry only about your success” – Madhulika Guhathakurta
Madhulika Guhathakurta, an astrophysicist, is one of NASA’s most well-known Indian Americans. She has served in a variety of roles at NASA, including scientist, mission designer, instrument builder, director of science programs, program manager, and educator. She is currently working as a lead program Scientist for the agency’s “New Initiatives In The Exploration Technology Directorate” at AMES Research Center in Moffett Field, California. At the 2018 American Bazaar Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders Gala, Madhulika received the Women Leader of the Year award.
She spoke to the ET about a variety of issues, such as the difficulties in STEM education and some of the most recent research. She was born in Kolkata and received her education in Mumbai and Delhi before moving to the United States to earn a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Denver. She hopes that the girls will take the lead with enthusiasm and determination. Give it your all, as Madhulika would say. Many young women who want to make something of themselves will find inspiration in her words.
“My mother would look at me and say, Kamala, you may be the first to do so many things but make sure you are not the last. – Kamala Harris”
American Vice President Kamala D. Harris is named as Kamala D. Harris. After a career in public service that saw her elected as District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, and The United States Senator, she was finally elected as Vice President. Her parents, originally from India and Jamaica, met and settled in Oakland, where she was born. She earned degrees from both Harvard and UC Berkeley. She had many different relatives and friends as she was growing up.
Ms. Harris’s appointment as Vice President marks a watershed moment for a country in turmoil, where a painful history of racial injustice has been brought to light. Her influence is growing, and her opinions are increasingly taken seriously on topics like immigration and voting rights. Her goal is to honor her mother’s legacy by encouraging other young women to pursue their passions.
The successes of these women give us hope that girls, too, can succeed if they get an education. With equal access to high-quality education, any girl has the potential to become a global leader.
This is what we aim to do at shenewz. By giving quality education access to the girls who belong to the marginalized communities of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan in India, we aim to achieve economic and social transformation of not only girls but their communities as well.
Arya is a talented content writer working for SheNewz. With her exceptional writing skills and attention to detail, she has made a name for herself in the highly competitive field of digital media. When she's not busy crafting compelling stories, Arya loves to express herself through dance. She has been trained in various dance styles and considers it as her favorite hobby.