Women's Day Celebration with Women of Faith

As I reflect on the International Women’s Day conducted in Troy, Michigan on 17th March 2024, I am fascinated by the scope and depth of the experiences shared by the women who attended. This was conducted on an Interfaith platform bridging the gap between all faiths and emphasizing on Women of faith and their views. This event was organized by Veena Kulkarni and Bharathi Kondareddy with a vision to empower women of faith. This is only the first of many to follow. Our esteemed panelists are as below with a unique background and experiences to share and empower the audience.

Ariana Mentzel: Ariana is a well-versed diplomat and community leader with a background in International Relations, dedicated to promoting peace and understanding through her work with various organizations.

Padma Kuppa: Padma is an engineer, former legislator, and advocate for interfaith dialogue and pluralism, committed to serving her community and promoting diversity.

Sangeeta Khalsa: Sangeeta is a passionate advocate for service and diversity, drawing from her Sikh upbringing in India and her experiences in the United States to make a positive impact on society.

Anita Klueg: Anita is a dedicated director of university ministry with a global perspective, driven by her experiences living and working in diverse communities to foster spiritual growth and interfaith understanding.

Paula Drewek: Paula is a retired professor and advocate for multicultural education, leveraging her expertise in religious studies to promote dialogue and inclusivity in her community.

Moderator Lakshmi Vadlamudi played a key role in moderating the event.

Paula shared her compelling journey of growing up in a multi-religious household, which ignited her feminist awakening. Paula has dedicated her career to promoting gender equality and harmony through the teaching of several religions. Her approach focuses on the ethical standards shared by religions, seeing faith as a guiding force in overcoming life's challenges. Her message is especially relevant today, as the world faces difficult problems of identity and belongingness. Paula's emphasis on seeing humanity's unity beyond surface differences and advocating for everyone's understanding and inclusion; is something we see in this world. Her work exemplifies how we all work together to create a more just and equal society.

Anita followed, recounting her unique religious journey shaped by her upbringing in a matriarchal Filipino society and experiences in Catholic schools in the United States. Her missionary work in Bolivia and Kenya further enriched her understanding of faith. She reflected on how theological studies and involvement in youth ministry expanded her faith, alongside a pivotal encounter with a Franciscan sister who inspired her to commit to a life of service. Anita champions peace and universal respect, underscoring the importance of living authentically with bravery.

Next, Sangeeta spoke about growing up in a joint family in Bombay and learning the principles of selflessness, faith, equality, and compassion. Education enabled her to advocate equality and empower women in her IT group. She mentioned how her daughter inspires her to be humble and self-aware. Sangeeta's faith provides her strength, as she values inner qualities over beauty on the outside and advocates for positive change by empowering women and learning from others. Her dedication to these principles is quite admirable. This is something I can relate to because I often clarify my parents on things they are unfamiliar with. Also as a member of Sewa International and HSS, selflessness is the idea that we part of an organization works towards providing to society.

Padma continued the narrative with her inspiring journey of faith, influenced by her mother’s Hindu devotion and further strengthened her feminist worldview during her extensive travels through India. Upon returning to the United States, she emphasized the importance of pluralism and interfaith dialogue. Padma stressed the significance of listening to young people and promoting selfless service, as influenced by Hindu traditions. She used Hindu phrases such as "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanth,” a sloka from the Gita-Chapter 2 “Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani”, which stresses the importance of fulfilling one’s responsibilities without being attached to the outcome and the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum”--meaning the world is one family to emphasize unity and interconnectedness and promote mutual respect and empathy. Despite the challenges, Padma found relief in interfaith activities, which promote respect and listening across differences. She advocates for openness, respect, and empathy, encouraging everyone to become pluralist ambassadors to create a more inclusive and compassionate world. Padma's inspiring journey is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of respecting and embracing diversity.

Ariana shared her Jewish journey, rooted in her family history of hiding their identity due to anti-semitism. Her father, who moved to the United States from Israel, was determined to establish a Jewish education and upbringing in his daughter. Ariana now highlights the value of education and Judaism, believing that learning is crucial for Jewish identity and community. She herself is inspired by biblical stories of courage and pushes for a safe environment for future leaders, as well as female equality. As we listen to her, we can sense that faith was important in her life. She derives wisdom, purpose, and power from her Jewish tradition, which has completely influenced her viewpoint. Ariana's path demonstrates the Jewish people's strength and perseverance, and her commitment to education and equality is truly moving.

Lastly, Theresa Rich, the Mayor of Farmington Hills from Michigan, USA, delivered an inspiring message to the crowd, particularly the women who were there. She shared her personal journey with warmth and sincerity, weaving through tales of juggling classrooms, careers, and the intricate routes of politics. Her persistent commitment to community service resonated with the audience, as it was clear that she was passionate about empowering others to embrace their own paths with eagerness and dedication. She urged the audience to act now, not wait for others. Quoting Rabbi Hillel, she challenged them to lead by example and make a difference in the world but her words were not just for that day, for every tomorrow that lay ahead.

Last thoughts were shared by Veena, who reiterated the significance of accepting differences and reaffirming our commitment to faith, hope, and love. We should all aspire to be beacons of light, shining brightly so that others can follow. Bharathi further draws attention to the importance of recognizing women's accomplishments in all fields and advocating for a world in which women and men are equal partners and concludes by thanking men who helped make it possible

Collectively, these speeches offer personal stories about faith, identity, and the hope of a fair and inclusive society. They motivate us to appreciate diversity, develop empathy, and strive for a more peaceful world. Regardless of our backgrounds or beliefs, we are all part of the global community. We can make our society better by engaging in discussions, compassion, and shared humanity.

By: Tanmaya Reddy