Growing up as a young girl in India, I have fond memories of my great-aunt’s backyard, and a sweetly scented, flowering vine that graced her fence. I recall being amazed at the abundance of the lush, white flowers that seemed to spread their loveliness in all directions, made possible by the care given by my great-aunt. In Gujarati, my native language, that beautiful flower was called saaheli, which also means “girlfriend.”

I believe that like the saaheli vine, women, too, have unlimited growth potential. With enough encouragement and support, especially from a tribe of other women, they can flourish and reach the sky.

My own story is a testament to the importance of support and its transformative powers. Immigrating to the United States as a young Indian woman who spoke barely anyEnglish, I faced many social and cultural barriers. But thanks to a few kind people who saw my potential, I was given the opportunity to progress, grow and lead, culminating in a nearly 40-year career in hospitality.

That experience instilled in me a desire to pay it forward, and to remind other young women that anything’s possible. I created the Saaheli to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment globally and to engage, educate and encourage women to become independent and realize their full potential.

-Founder Sima Patel