'Brookefields Wonder Women' Forum is an initiative of Brookefields Mall and the brainchild of Sujatha Murthy, Marketing Manager, Brookefields Mall, which aims to bring together all enterprising women from the city and work towards addressing social problems and women empowerment.
A WhatsApp group was formed with several women from various fields as members. Today, a section of women of this group met at the Banquet Hall of the Brookefields Mall for the first time to formally inaugurate the initiative.
“This is not a business forum. This forum has been created with the intention of empowering women and also doing something good for our society as a group.” Sujatha Murthy said. Seconding her was Ashwin Balasubramaniam, COO, Brookefields who said “It would be great if this group can take up one strong aspect every year and create an impact in the society”.
This was followed by Swarnalatha J, Managing Trustee of Swarga Foundation delivering an inspirational and motivational talk. Swarga Foundation is a city-based NGO that works towards spreading awareness about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neuro-muscular disorders by increasing awareness among the general public and thereby transforming the general attitude in society towards differently-abled individuals.
“People told me that I can never be a good wife or a nice mother. However, I proved them wrong. Instead of feeling bad about the things that I am unable to do, I am focusing on doing things that I can do. I have been wheelchair bound since 2015 and since then I have done many things which probably a majority of you will be unable to do. I have hosted workshops on vegetable carving, making flowers out of tissue paper, delivered motivational talks among other things. Today, I have people come up to me and ask what have I not done.” said Swarnalatha.
She went on to narrate incidents from her life and told her audience “When you are in trouble in life, no one comes to your rescue. It is only your determination, courage and character that will stand by you to face and overcome challenges you face in your life. Have a positive attitude. It is our duty to spread positivity and happiness around us.” Swarnalatha ended.
Her inspirational speech received a thunderous applause from her audience. This was followed by an ice-breaking session where the women introduced themselves.
This month, on the cards is a terrace gardening workshop by Chitra Krishnaaswamy that will be hosted on 3 March. On 5 March, a cloth bag making workshop has been planned where innovative ways of making a cloth bag from old apparels will be demonstrated. Lakshmi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order will host an awareness session on women safety and on 12 March, painting as a therapy workshop will be hosted. All these programmes will be hosted at Brookefields Mall.
