OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Where our story begins...
Beena Mannan, a first-generation Pakistani American who arrived in the United States as a child, has always embraced her identity as a “desi” woman with immense pride. However, her journey has been marked by numerous challenges and valuable lessons. As a desi woman, she prioritized her family and took time off to raise her children, but found herself later facing the difficult task of reigniting her career and pursuing further education. It was during this period that Beena felt a profound sense of confusion and uncertainty, longing for guidance and support beyond the roles of a devoted mother and wife.
Driven by her own experiences, Beena joined forces with a passionate group of board members to establish the Desi American Woman Network (DAWN). Together, they set out on a mission to create an organization that celebrates the rich ethnicities and cultures of South Asian American women, while addressing the unique challenges faced by those who grew up and live as Desi American women. DAWN became the transformative platform that provided a roadmap to success, both personally and professionally.
At the core of DAWN’s foundation lie empowerment, sisterhood, and inclusivity. Recognizing the shared cultural expectations and taboos that often shape the lives of desi women, DAWN creates a supportive community where women find solace, motivation, and inspiration. Beena, having grown up with four supportive sisters, knows firsthand the transformative power of sisterhood for desi women.
Beena’s personal journey and reflections fueled her determination to create a community that addresses the lack of professional guidance and support she encountered as a young woman. With DAWN, she aspires to provide Desi women, irrespective of their career or life stage, with a support system that encourages the pursuit of their passions. As a mother to two young Desi women who continue to inspire her, Beena recognized the urgency of establishing DAWN as a social and professional network, creating more opportunities and broader access for Desi women and girls across the United States.
Within the DAWN community, Desi women find a safe space to share ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, acquire new skills, and forge valuable connections. Beena’s unwavering vision is for every Desi woman to be recognized, celebrated, and empowered within the nurturing embrace of DAWN. Together, with her dedicated board members and the entire DAWN community, she is determined to propel South Asian American women toward a future where their voices resound, their dreams flourish, and their impact knows no bounds.
Where our story begins...
Beena Mannan, a first-generation Pakistani American who arrived in the United States as a child, has always embraced her identity as a “desi” woman with immense pride. However, her journey has been marked by numerous challenges and valuable lessons. As a desi woman, she prioritized her family and took time off to raise her children, but found herself later facing the difficult task of reigniting her career and pursuing further education. It was during this period that Beena felt a profound sense of confusion and uncertainty, longing for guidance and support beyond the roles of a devoted mother and wife.
Driven by her own experiences, Beena joined forces with a passionate group of board members to establish the Desi American Woman Network (DAWN). Together, they set out on a mission to create an organization that celebrates the rich ethnicities and cultures of South Asian American women, while addressing the unique challenges faced by those who grew up and live as Desi American women. DAWN became the transformative platform that provided a roadmap to success, both personally and professionally.
At the core of DAWN’s foundation lie empowerment, sisterhood, and inclusivity. Recognizing the shared cultural expectations and taboos that often shape the lives of desi women, DAWN creates a supportive community where women find solace, motivation, and inspiration. Beena, having grown up with four supportive sisters, knows firsthand the transformative power of sisterhood for desi women.
Beena’s personal journey and reflections fueled her determination to create a community that addresses the lack of professional guidance and support she encountered as a young woman. With DAWN, she aspires to provide Desi women, irrespective of their career or life stage, with a support system that encourages the pursuit of their passions. As a mother to two young Desi women who continue to inspire her, Beena recognized the urgency of establishing DAWN as a social and professional network, creating more opportunities and broader access for Desi women and girls across the United States.
Within the DAWN community, Desi women find a safe space to share ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, acquire new skills, and forge valuable connections. Beena’s unwavering vision is for every Desi woman to be recognized, celebrated, and empowered within the nurturing embrace of DAWN. Together, with her dedicated board members and the entire DAWN community, she is determined to propel South Asian American women toward a future where their voices resound, their dreams flourish, and their impact knows no bounds.
Where our story begins...
Beena Mannan, a first-generation Pakistani American who arrived in the United States as a child, has always embraced her identity as a “desi” woman with immense pride. However, her journey has been marked by numerous challenges and valuable lessons. As a desi woman, she prioritized her family and took time off to raise her children, but found herself later facing the difficult task of reigniting her career and pursuing further education. It was during this period that Beena felt a profound sense of confusion and uncertainty, longing for guidance and support beyond the roles of a devoted mother and wife.
Driven by her own experiences, Beena joined forces with a passionate group of board members to establish the Desi American Woman Network (DAWN). Together, they set out on a mission to create an organization that celebrates the rich ethnicities and cultures of South Asian American women, while addressing the unique challenges faced by those who grew up and live as Desi American women. DAWN became the transformative platform that provided a roadmap to success, both personally and professionally.
At the core of DAWN’s foundation lie empowerment, sisterhood, and inclusivity. Recognizing the shared cultural expectations and taboos that often shape the lives of desi women, DAWN creates a supportive community where women find solace, motivation, and inspiration. Beena, having grown up with four supportive sisters, knows firsthand the transformative power of sisterhood for desi women.
Beena’s personal journey and reflections fueled her determination to create a community that addresses the lack of professional guidance and support she encountered as a young woman. With DAWN, she aspires to provide Desi women, irrespective of their career or life stage, with a support system that encourages the pursuit of their passions. As a mother to two young Desi women who continue to inspire her, Beena recognized the urgency of establishing DAWN as a social and professional network, creating more opportunities and broader access for Desi women and girls across the United States.
Within the DAWN community, Desi women find a safe space to share ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, acquire new skills, and forge valuable connections. Beena’s unwavering vision is for every Desi woman to be recognized, celebrated, and empowered within the nurturing embrace of DAWN. Together, with her dedicated board members and the entire DAWN community, she is determined to propel South Asian American women toward a future where their voices resound, their dreams flourish, and their impact knows no bounds.
