Women Rise on the

arch is special to me for more reasons than one. Besides being Women’s History Month, it is meaningful because it is also the month in which SEEMA was born. It was no coincidence that the SEEMA Network was launched in the same month to fulfill my passion to help and support South Asian women and to provide them with a platform . I am proud that something born of my own experience and passion was channeled into this medium to celebrate and highlight the achievements of South Asian women—astonishing women who have broken barriers, shattered ceiling,s and redefined leadership, in spite of incredible impediments, insurmountable roadblocks, and stereotypical mindsets. Though there are miles to go, I am pleased with the progress we have made to extend a hand to women and girls who look like me.

We have come a long way, and it makes me proud that we are on the path that I had envisioned and have made

Mstellar progress. So, this March we bring to you the SEEMA monthly magazine loaded with exemplary South Asian women who have broken both barriers and stereotypes. What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than to talk about the first Indian American to be elected as a Lieutenant Governor (LG) from any state in the 246-year history of the nation. On the cover this month is Aruna Miller, who moved here from India when she was only 7, had a long career as a transport engineer, was elected as a state delegate for two terms, and is now the first-ever woman of color as LG of Maryland.

We also shine a light on tennis legend Sania Mirza—a beacon of female power on the tennis court and off it. An inspirational icon for so many young girls in South Asia, emphatically proving that tennis is not just for the elite.

I n this issue, we celebrate Holi with all its color and fervor and list community events being held through the month in different states. The holy month of Ramadan also begins toward the end of this month, and we offer some healthy options for a three-course meal to break your fast and to host your own Iftar party for friends and family.

With spring just around the corner, we recommend you get your gardening tools in order and to start making preparations with our eight secrets to an amazing vegetable garden. To gear up for the season, we have an update on spring fashion trends and the all-important skin care routine to slough off whats left of the dry, flaky winter skin. But that’s not all on the beauty front. We also have a piece on natural ways to improve your sleep and quick tricks to boost your mood.

We also remember iconic South Asian women who broke barriers and paved a way for generations to follow—Maharani Gayatri Devi, Kalpana Chawla, Kartar Dhillon, and PK Rosy. Plus, we have a lineup of contemporary women from the entertainment world who are making our community proud, including Annette Philip, who talks about her experience at the Grammys for her debut album “Shuruaat,” and Rohi Mirza Pandya, who is a force to reckon with in the entertainment space and who has promoted Bollywood films in America for more than 20 years. We also spoke to the rising star in Hollywood, Taylor Black, about her fascination for Indian food and fashion.

P icking on some serious issues we talk about the stalled progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We highlight why cutting back on DEI is a mistake and what are the ways to continue to stay the course and provide support to co-workers, which would pay dividends down the line. We also call out the gender pay disparity and the broken leadership ladder that plagues women of color and how a new generation of visionaries is bringing about a change.

While we spring forward an hour on March 12, here’s to new beginnings, vigorous change, and preparation for season ahead.

• Seema Kumar, Founder, SEEMA Network •