On December 7, 2023, Schreyer for Women held an evening in conversation with special guests Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, and President Bendapudi.
The evening began with opening remarks from the Schreyer for Women organization, a delicious assortment of food from India Pavilion and some mingling before the honored guests were given the floor to speak.
Both women gave motivational speeches about their incredible accolades, both being the first South Asian women to fill their roles, making them both inspiring pioneers for women and especially women of color.
The first to take the stage was Nina Davuluri. Originally from Syracuse, New York, Davulrui graduated from the University of Michigan in 2011. Despite her parents’ desire for her to go to Medical School, Davluluri had other plans: she wanted to win Miss America.
With the reluctant support of her parents, Davuluri began her journey —though not without hardship. Davuluri touched on the dangerous implications of the beauty industry and brands that perpetuate the narrative that lighter skin is synonymous with beauty. Some of the work she’s done to combat colorism included the campaign she spearheaded against colorism, #SeeMyComplexion. This led to her being invited by the CEO of L’oreal to join the L’oreal Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board which she currently serves on.
Davuluri also discussed the unfortunate reality of eating disorders, especially for women in entertainment fields, and discussed the hardships of breaking the cycle.
“When I first told my dear friend I wanted to be Miss New York, he gave me his full support. And he said ‘Okay you can do this, but if you’re going to do this you need to lose weight.’ I didn’t even think twice about, because it seemed so obvious, like of course I have to lose weight to fit the standard of pretty.”
Davuluri gave some insight as to how eating disorders plagued her life, as the pressure to fit a certain beauty standard and dress size is prominent in the pageant industry and in general.
Eventually, Davuluri won the title of Miss New York in 2013 and went on to win the Miss America pageant in 2014 (and the second Miss New York in a row).
Her accomplishments thus far address the struggles many women of color have to endure fighting for their dreams, especially coming from a South Asian background. She spoke about the colorism she faced throughout her journey, though it never stopped her from pursuing her passion.
Davuluri offered an insightful story of her success and encouraged her audience to keep dreaming big, and not letting their background be something negative.
Then President Bendapudi came to the podium. Born in India, Bendapudi was able to offer a unique perspective on moving up the administrative ladder as a woman, especially as a woman of color for the matter.
In one anecdote, she tells how a coworker told her the reason people agreed with her or supported her was because she smiled so much. Rather than letting this attempt to undermine her work, she laughed it off and continued smiling.
Schreyer for Women planned this event to start a larger conversation of what it meant to be a woman of color in leadership roles — hearing President Bendapudi and Nina’s stories was a reminder that our only limitations are mental.
Shreya Gorawala, Schreyer for Women career development director
The evening concluded with a short question and answer section with both speakers, who answered questions about what they wish they knew in college, why Bollywood is problematic and how to prevent burnout while still keeping busy.
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