Speeches & Articles

Remarks of
Consul General Beth A. Payne
A Tribute to Women
Rabindranath Tagore Centre,
Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
March 10, 2009

March 10, 2009

Maina Bhagat, Director, Oxford Bookstore
Dr. Stephen Huyler
Ladies and Gentlemen

On Sunday – International Women’s Day – the world celebrated the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women around the world.  As part of this celebration, I’m happy to help launch Dr. Stephen P. Huyler’s new book -- Daughters of India: Art and Identity – which celebrates the lives of twenty women from India.  In this book, Dr. Huyler has eloquently captured the lives of all Indian women through his insightful stories and photographs of twenty women who cross religions, class and caste.  What all of these women have in common is that they all used creative expression as a form of empowerment. 

All of society benefits when women are empowered.  Sustainable development is much more achievable when women share equally in the distribution of power and influence, have equal opportunities for financial independence and enjoy equal access to education.  This lovely new book demonstrates that women’s empowerment is possible everywhere in India and I hope the women he has so lovingly described will serve as role models for women throughout not just India, but the world, as they strive to achieve equality and dignity.

Thank you.