WHO AM I?

When I first arrived in America at the age of nine, I felt lost. Everything unexpectedly changed: my home, language, food, customs, and even the people who raised me. Only my name was familiar. To cope, I threw myself into learning the new ‘rules of the game’, hoping that winning by them would earn me more freedom. Instead, I internalized the rules and my ‘wins’ only left me self-alienated and disenchanted.

By my mid-30s, I was burnt out. I walked away from my executive role in tech and wandered in the wasteland of my soul. I was unsure I’d ever find my way through but, with practice and grace, I began to heal from my most wretched experiences. I realized the root of my pain is the oppressive conditioning of both my adopted land and my motherland. I also discovered a potent antidote to colonialism and patriarchy: the ancient bond between my ancestry and the wilderness.

Now, my purpose is to re-enchant my life and re-wild this world. The organizations I support here prioritize the sovereignty of the women and wilderness of South Asia. To be free from the encroachments of patriarchy, I’m committed to exposing its oppressive game and healing its inflicted shame. This space is the sisterhood I've long yearned for so I can walk my own wild path without having to be alone on it.

— Mansi