Sameera
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story To my younger self, and all women, especially young women—do not make yourself smaller and less shiny to fit into the patriarchal norms that society forces upon us. Don’t try to take up less space, don’t try to be a version of yourself that you think is more palatable.”
When Sameera was young, she made the incredibly brave choice to uproot her life and move across the globe from India to America. Now is currently pursuing a PhD in public health, and through her Instagram account @sameera.shukanta she has established an online community detailing the honest experiences she endures as a woman in academia. She is not only a dedicated dog-mum, but also a remarkable leader who is determined to empower other women to recognise their full potential. Though Sameera misses the life she left in India, she also embraces the life she made for herself in the states. She’s a fearless trailblazer who navigates life with passion and positivity. Meet Sameera. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
S: Hi friends! My name is Sameera, pronounced S-uh-mee-raa. I’m a public health Ph.D. candidate with a focus on social epidemiology and mixed-methods research. I have a fairly active Instagram account where I document the ups and downs of being a woman in academia mixed in with dog mom content. I try to keep it pretty honest and I hope I can build a community for like-minded women. I’m also an immigrant from India and I live in the U.S.!
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
S: I’m driven, compassionate, justice-oriented, and unapologetically me! I also think that I am free, and I have enjoyed freedom, a rare privilege for many women.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
S: I thrive as a leader! I used to shy away from this, so I won’t be labeled bossy (something I heard a lot growing up), but now I embrace it fully. I love helping other women recognize their power and feel empowered. Also, I think I’m pretty witty.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
S: Uprooting my life to try something new and move across the world to a different continent has been the defining decision of my life. I made this choice at a young age, not thinking that much of it. Looking back, I would say it was pretty scary but it also made me brave. Sometimes it’s sad and it has had consequences like missing important moments, being separated from my loved ones, learning to be alone and grieving alone. That being said, I’ve created an amazing life for myself and that gives me strength and comfort—If I can do that, I can do anything!
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
S: To my younger self, and all women, especially young women—do not make yourself smaller and less shiny to fit into the patriarchal norms that society forces upon us. Don’t try to take up less space, don’t try to be a version of yourself that you think is more palatable. Society is always telling us to be a certain way, and I see this manifesting clearly in romantic cisgender heterosexual relationships. I see women dimming their light for men who are intimidated by them and their success, for men who are insecure around a woman who might shine brighter than them. Ladies, ditch that deadweight. You are strong women, and you deserve strong partners. If he wants you to stand in his shadow, he’s not the one.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
S: Honestly existing as a woman in this world that has been designed to oppress you is in itself something special. I don’t subscribe to gender norms so I’m not sure if there are things that I would associate with being a woman in general. To me women are people and I just want us to be treated like people, with dignity and humanity.
