BURLINGTON, MA—On Saturday, Gouri Banerjee, co-founder of Saheli, was honored with the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 at the 22nd Annual Woman of the Year Awards Gala at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
The award celebrated her dedication to community service, particularly in areas of higher education, political campaigns, and advocating for victims of domestic violence.
“In receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award this year, I felt validated,” Ms. Banerjee shared with INDIA New England News. “It confirmed that the work I’ve done in higher education, in political campaigns, and leading an organization dedicated to reducing domestic violence, had a meaningful impact.”
Ms. Banerjee co-founded Saheli Boston, an organization that currently serves over 300 women and children of South Asian and Arab descent in New England each year. Her leadership, alongside that of co-founder Usha Vakil, has transformed Saheli from a small group of 4-5 volunteers into a thriving social service organization with more than a dozen staff members. The organization’s wide-reaching network includes collaborations with state agencies, immigration lawyers, and healthcare providers, all of which have strengthened Saheli’s mission and earned it statewide recognition, funding, and expertise.
Having arrived in the United States in 1971 to pursue her Masters and Ph.D. in the College of Liberal Arts at Boston University, Ms. Banerjee has since become a pillar of both the academic and community service landscapes. She was first honored by INDIA New England News with the Woman of the Year Award in 2005.
Reflecting on her earlier recognition, Ms. Banerjee recalled, “In 1996, I co-founded Saheli, an organization focused on providing support and friendship for South Asian women, particularly those affected by domestic violence. When India New England News selected me as Woman of the Year in 2005, it was a powerful and unexpected honor. At that time, Saheli was still a small, new organization. The award helped raise awareness among survivors of domestic violence, encouraging them to seek support, build trust, and envision a future free from violence.”
Today, Ms. Banerjee continues her work as a member of Saheli’s Board of Advisors. She also volunteers for Empower Success Corps Consultant and is an Emeritus Associate Professor at Emmanuel College in Boston. Over her 20-plus years in academia, Ms. Banerjee taught at institutions such as Boston University, Salem State University, and Emmanuel College before retiring.
“As a media company, INDIA New England News has consistently recognized the remarkable achievements of Indian-American women in Massachusetts for over two decades,” Ms. Banerjee noted. “Last night, once again, ten extraordinary women were celebrated, and I am honored to have been selected as Woman of the Year.”
The publication praised Ms. Banerjee for her unwavering dedication to serving the Indian-American community, acknowledging her lasting impact through both her academic and social service work.
“INDIA New England News has made it a priority to spotlight women who have worked tirelessly to create meaningful change, not just for today, but to leave a legacy of hope, empowerment, and strength for future generations,” Ms. Banerjee concluded. “Their commitment to celebrating the work of women is truly unique and invaluable.”
This recognition underscores the profound influence Ms. Banerjee has had, not only on the lives of the individuals she has directly served but on the broader Indian-American community, encouraging a culture of support, resilience, and empowerment.
