in fostering a space for sikh women in healthcare
This article is written by Ikaasa Suri, founding board member and current Associate Executive Director of SMI. Below, she shares the story behind our storytelling evening created with to empower Sikh women in healthcare and uplift their stories of resilience. To connect, collaborate, or share your story, reach out to Ikaasa Suri at ikaasa.suri@icahn.mssm.edu. Join us in shaping the next chapter of resilience, representation, and sisterhood.
June 1, 2025
At the end of March, I had the privilege of launching the Sikh Medical Initiative’s storytelling series. While my role as Vice President of SMI was largely to oversee logistical operations for our organization, this initiative felt deeply personal and so inherent to why we started SMI in the first place. Our inaugural event, titled Sikh Women in Healthcare: Stories of Resilience, started as an idea to bring Sikh women together in a safe, affirming space. As the idea snowballed, it ultimately grew into an evening that was both healing and empowering. Nearly fifty women from across the United States and Canada logged on – cozy blankets and cups of cha in hand – ready to share and listen to stories that too often go unheard. Tears were shed, laughs were shared, and genuine bonds of sisterhood – albeit virtually – were formed.”
I was motivated to put this event together because I have witnessed firsthand the underrepresentation of Sikhs in medicine – and within that already small group, the even deeper underrepresentation of Sikh women. Growing up, and even now as I train in medicine, it has been rare to find mentors who not only look like me, but also understand the cultural values, family dynamics, and lived experiences that shape our journeys. Too many Sikh women have faced barriers to even entering the field, coming from communities that have not always valued women’s education. And for those of us who made it into healthcare, we have often found ourselves navigating spaces without role models who share our faith, our identity, and our resilience.
For me, this event was about changing that narrative – about carving out a space where our stories could be seen and celebrated. Storytelling has always been powerful in Sikh history and culture, and on this evening it became a way for us to connect across distances and differences. Women spoke honestly about their struggles and triumphs: the sacrifices they made, the inequities they faced, and the ways they continue to persevere. What struck me most was how much strength we drew from each other simply by listening and being heard.
This storytelling evening reminded me why I am so passionate about health equity, community engagement, and women’s empowerment. Creating platforms like this matters – not just for us today, but for the generations of Sikh women who will come after us. My hope is that this was only the beginning of many such gatherings, where Sikh women in healthcare can continue to lift each other up, build community, and rewrite the narrative of what is possible when we stand together.
