Trisha Bhatia has never been raised to believe that her gender hinders her from being the capable, inspiring young woman she is.
In fact, Trisha believes that the “unbelievably strong women” who raised her are the main reasons why she is so passionate about the International Women’s Academy at Boston University. As a 19-year-old health science major, she inherited the presidential position of IWA at Boston U after the leader of the club graduated last year. It has been no easy task — Trisha had to essentially “restart” IWA at Boston University, charged with the mission to “revitalize” the club and its purpose. Thus far, she has done incredible work, hosting many club events, collaborating with other student activities, and working in Boston to raise awareness about women’s rights. As Trisha so wisely states, “The issue of women’s rights is critical in our country at this time, with so many women doing so many amazing things to promote equality, and I think IWA can really feed off of this charged atmosphere.”
A little background on the International Women’s Academy is necessary. Trisha explains that its origins are in England, starting as a “women’s empowerment league,” and was brought to BU in 2015. At BU, Trisha works to spread the IWA’s mission by “empowering young girls by teaching and discussing strong women in history” and “allowing them to create a feasible business idea that they can put nto action.” Trisha and the rest of her club members most strongly implemet this at the school they volunteer at in Roxbury, Massachesetts. However, they also volunteer at numerous other organizations, one of which is Black & Pink, an inspiring program that advocates for women of the LGBTQ community that are in prison.
The passion that Trisha has for the International Women’s Academy not only stems from her the strong women of her childhood, but also due to the sexism that women face on a daily basis. This institutionalized sexism is global, and Trisha hopes her role in the IWA will lead to more awareness, at least on campus, as, “There is an ingrained notion that women are less capable than men. As a woman, it certainly takes a little bit of extra effort to prove my capabilities to others. However, I have always been surrounded by strong women and men that have never made me feel lesser than any man. Yet, this is not the case for a majority of women around the world. It is due to this need to promote equality that I feel the need to be a part of something bigger than myself like IWA.” A large part of her plan to combat this inequality is through education — a right that approximately 62 million young girls and women across the globe are barred from.
Trisha believes that as BU students, we have to acknowledge our incredible privilege to go to such a prestigious university, and, “use our resources to at least attempt to make education more accessible for girls.” And Trisha is using those resources already, through an IWA event to support Michelle Obama’s initiative, “Let Girls Learn”.
IWA has had an important part in shaping Trisha Bhatia’s life, but she has also cultivated it to be the inspiring club it is today. It is those with Trisha’s ideals and motivation that will change the world, and change the global stigmatization against women. Through the International Women’s Academy at BU, Trisha has seen “the absolute beauty of the women around me and the amazing things that they are accomplishing in their lives. The women at BU are powerful, making a difference, and have so much to offer to the world.” Trisha knows the potential of IWA at BU and wants everyone to realize that — not just women. The inequality of women is a universal problem that must be combatted by everyone, as Trisha says that the feminist fight is “not about women being better than men — it’s about being equal to men.” We all hope to see the day equal rights will finally be achieved — and more likely than not, Trisha will be right on the front lines of the battle.