SAKHI Rings Closing Bell At The New York Stock Exchange

The New York Stock Exchange welcomed Sakhi for South Asian Women, honoring the leading nonprofit working with survivors of gender-based violence within the South Asian diaspora in New York City on Friday, March 1st to the Podium to ring the Closing Bell,

Led by Kavita Mehra, Executive Director, and Beesham A. Seecharan, Board Chair, AKHI has become one of the first South Asian American organizations to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), celebrating its 35th anniversary and Women’s History Month.

This milestone at NYSE uplifts the experiences of survivors in the South Asian diaspora and the over 15,000 lives Sakhi has reached in its 35-year history. As Women’s History Month celebrates trailblazers who have broken barriers, Sakhi is honored to publicly recognize the vital role the South Asian American feminist movement has played in building New York City’s communities.

Founded in 1989, Sakhi has been at the forefront of advocating for gender justice, providing culturally competent programs, and fostering community engagement to address unique challenges faced by survivors in the South Asian diaspora. Over the past 35 years, Sakhi has worked tirelessly to build safer, more equitable communities for all.

“Ringing the closing bell at NYSE is historic for the South Asian diaspora and Sakhi, as we celebrate our 35th anniversary and inaugurate Women’s History Month. This momentous occasion highlights the power and resilience of South Asian survivors while simultaneously celebrating three and a half decades of Sakhi’s achievements in its commitment to ending gender-based violence,” said Kavita Mehra, executive director of Sakhi.

In addition to ringing the bell, Sakhi will host a gala, “Threads of Transformation,” April 26, 2024, celebrating 35 years of working with survivors at the Glasshouse in New York City.

March has been observed as Women’s History Month since 1987 in the US, with March 8 being commemorated as International Women’s Day. “As one of the first South Asian American organizations to achieve this honor, Sakhi will commemorate its 35th Anniversary and mark the commencement of Women’s History Month with this significant event,” the organization shared in a post on LinkedIn.

“Such an incredible honor to be one of the first South Asian American organizations to ring closing bell at NYSE. Can’t wait until next week!” Sakhi’s executive director Kavita Mehra shared on LinkedIn.

About Sakhi for South Asian Women

Sakhi was established in the US in 1989. It was only the second South Asian women’s organization in the country founded to promote women’s rights by offering services and facilitating community education.

Anannya Bhattacharjee, Mallika Dutt, Tula Goenka, Geetanjali Misra, and Romita Shetty were among the founding members of Sakhi.

The nonprofit works with survivors of gender-based violence in the city, particularly who are of South Asian descent from Bangladesh, the Caribbean, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It strives to illuminate the complex realities and needs of our community within both the South Asian community in New York and beyond. For more information about Sakhi, visit www.sakhi.org.