Several Indian American organizations have been hosting events honoring trailblazing women to mark Women’s History Month. One such group was Indiaspopup.com, a global platform for South Asian fashion. The company, founded by Archana Yenna, honored five South Asian female role models that have been instrumental to the diaspora with their work in nonprofits, societal causes, and community building. Those felicitated were Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, filmmaker, activist, actor and entrepreneur; Megha Desai, president, The Desai Foundation; actor Shobha Narayan; Hitha Palepu, entrepreneur and author; and beauty influencer Cynthia Victor.
“At Indiaspopup.com, we empower and celebrate women through authentic South Asian fashion and community contributions,” Yenna said in a press release. “As we celebrate Women’s Day, we remain committed to sharing inspiring stories of South Asian women achievers and changemakers,” she added. She honored these women for “breaking stereotypes and spreading positivity on body sizes, health, confidence, and skin tone.”
Through her work with Indiaspopup.com Yenna hopes to help women feel beautiful, confident, and feminine and make progress toward positive change. In a series of photos shot at New York City’s Baccarat Hotel, Indiaspopup.com produced a High Tea-themed photoshoot to celebrate its honorees. The women donned avant-garde attire by some of India’s most prominent designers while sipping high tea, dining on canapes. Exemplifying Indian royalty, the women championed their sisterhood and discussed what womanhood meant to each one of them.
During the two-day festivities, Indiaspopup.com announced its partnership with Sakhi for South Asian Women, an NGO that represents the South Asian diaspora in a survivor-centered movement for gender justice. Sakhi applies a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens with a long-term commitment to mobilizing a future free from violence. Yenna pledged to donate a portion of March sales to the organization.
“Sakhi for South Asian Women is grateful to Indiaspopup.com for uplifting and investing in our work with survivors of gender-based violence,” said Kavita Mehra, executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Women. Nationally, 48 percent of South Asian Americans experience gender-based violence throughout their lifetime, and at Sakhi, we have seen a 65 percent increase in cases over one year. This support will help us address the overwhelming need in our community and continue our commitment toward a future of healing and justice.”
