Women’s Empowerment Campaign Hosts Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

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The Women’s Empowerment Campaign (WE),  an organization aimed at creating the largest networking and empowerment platform for Indian women in Chicagoland, hosted Congresswomen and Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, at a networking event on Feb. 9, in Naperville, IL.

Hosting Tulsi Gabbard was a big accomplishment for the group, according to a press release from Asian Media USA.

“The greatest attribute that anyone could have is love for their country because that is truly beyond themselves and not related to any other self-interest,” Gabbard is quoted saying at the event. “When I promised to serve my country in the military I really meant it,” she added, according to Asian Media USA.

One remarkable moment in her political career came when she asked to use the Gita instead of the usual Bible for her swearing-in ceremony to the US Congress, the press release said.

“As women’s empowerment advocates and as Hindu women we could not be prouder to support Tulsi,” WE Founder Dr. Anuja Gupta, is quoted saying in the press release.

Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the U.S. Congress, announced her run for U.S. President in January. Hosting leaders such as Tulsi fits in with the group’s goals of supporting women community leaders. This visit of Tulsi Gabbard was the first outside of Hawaii after her announcement, according to the press release. Tulsi served in the military and was deployed in two wars. She is currently a major in the marine corps.

The WE Campaign includes founders Rita Singh, Shital Daftari and Dr. Gupta who are prominent businesswomen and community members in Chicagoland, the press release said.

“We had to do something to give back to the community” Dr. Gupta who is a physician and real estate developer of Verandah Retirement Community, is quoted saying.

Daftari, who is an e-commerce business owner of Saris and Things, said, “We wanted to do showcase how powerful Indian women were. I also wanted to inspire women to take the first step to living a life of their dreams and reaching their highest potential.”

Singh, who is an IT business owner and also has experience in show business says, “I had a very gratifying experience mentoring other people who wanted to start their own business and wanted to do it on a larger scale thru this platform. I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the Indian community.”

Some of the important goals identified by the group include supporting entrepreneurship among  Indian women in the community, showcasing and highlighting women business-owners and professionals, raising awareness of existing resources and services in the community, celebrating successful Indian women and supporting women leaders in the community.

The WE initiative was founded in November 2017 and currently has more than 1,500 members, the press release said. They have held events such as women’s business awards, women’s business expo, women’s job fair and a big gala to celebrate international women’s day in an Indian way, the press release said.