My nomination: Sisterhood

My second nomination for the sisterhood category is the super awesome Manasa Ram Raj.

She was in her second year at law school when we were introduced: and over only a few emails, I already knew I had found a soul sister for life. Manasa was full of dreams, passion, and a thirst for knowledge that very people I knew had and nurtured to that full extent. Just into law school, Manasa was dedicated to changemaking from the word go. Her dreams centered on building futures of justice built on the unshakeable foundation of inclusion.

In all these years since, my heart brims with pride and joy to see Manasa having not only attained that, but having opened every door wider and wider still for other women around her. Whether it is to fight child marriages or take on political dimwittery (sorry), whether it is in putting together deep and detailed research to address a lacuna in the law or in presenting powerful campaigns that encourage people to introspect on their behaviors, Manasa continues to sow seeds for sustainable change in everything she does.

But the one thing that really stands out among everything else is her dedication to the feminist movement. Her compassion and care to hold brave and safe spaces for those in need of her support, and her gentle encouragement for those who can benefit from healing have touched many lives, including my own. To me, Manasa is a powerful example of what it is to create, nurture, and hold circles of sisterhood. She is a catalyst for change, as much as she is a compassionate shoulder to lean on when the cape becomes too heavy to wear. She is a powerhouse of energy that battles hardships, as much as she is a resilient supporter who never throws judgment across. Manasa, to me, is the truest embodiment of sisterhood.