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Kolkata Girl's Journey to National Women's Hall of Fame
4 Oct
Summary
- Born a 'disappointment' as the third daughter, she defied societal norms.
- Entered the National Women's Hall of Fame, joining Indra Nooyi.
- Transformed business skills into global philanthropy for women's equality.
Sharmila Mona Sinha's life story is a testament to overcoming societal expectations. Born in Kolkata and initially feeling like a familial 'disappointment' for being a third daughter, she has now achieved a significant milestone: induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame in New York.
Her journey began with early encounters with poverty and gender bias, including volunteering at a Mother Teresa orphanage. Discovering her grandmother's role in India's freedom movement further inspired her. After moving to the U.S. at 18 for Smith College and Columbia Business School, Sinha pursued a career in investment banking and corporate America.
Later, she pivoted, applying her business expertise to philanthropy and social change. She became a leader at Women Moving Millions, co-founded Raising Change, and supported the Asian Women's Leadership University. Sinha also produced Oscar-nominated documentaries and advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment.
Currently, as CEO of Equality Now since 2022, she works to eliminate discriminatory laws impacting women and girls globally. Her induction into the Hall of Fame recognizes a life dedicated to challenging the status quo and answering the question of what a girl deemed 'wrong' can achieve.
