The Many Faces of Inspiration: Women Who Inspire Us—Then and Now

BOSTON–In celebration of Women’s History Month, INDIA New England News brings together a collection of deeply personal reflections from leaders across business, technology, entrepreneurship, and community service, including Anu Chitrapu, Desh Deshpande, Prashanth Palakurthi, Mandy Pant, and Praveen Tailam.

Each voice shares a story of a woman who has left a lasting imprint on their lives—through quiet courage, resilience, sacrifice, or trailblazing achievement. In some cases, these reflections look inward to family members and personal influences; in others, they highlight contemporary global figures whose journeys continue to inspire.

Together, these narratives go beyond public accomplishments to reveal intimate, often untold influences—from mothers and ancestors to daughters and global icons. They serve as a powerful reminder that the impact of women is not only measured in history books, but also in the values they pass on, the lives they shape, and the quiet strength they embody every day.

Anu Chitrapu
Senior Vice President, Technology Executive
Bank of America

I’ve been inspired since childhood by a woman I never met—my paternal great-grandmother. She exists in my mind only through a black-and-white photograph.

When I was a little girl, my mother told me a story about her that she had heard from my grandfather. She was married at a very young age to a high-ranking government official in British India. She was a shy woman with a soft voice, always in the background, caring for a large household and extended family.

One morning, after her husband left for court, she sat in the garden at the back of the house, enjoying a few minutes of quiet solitude. It was a stressful time in India, with the Independence movement in full swing. Suddenly, a man appeared in the garden and asked for a glass of water. He was disheveled and in blood-stained clothes. He said he was Alluri Seetaramaraju, a freedom fighter who had just escaped from prison and was on the run.

I often wonder what I would have done in her situation—raised an alarm or fled inside.

She did neither. Instead, she went to the kitchen and brought him some food and a glass of buttermilk, hiding the food with her saree pallu so none of the servants would know what she was doing. He gratefully drank the buttermilk, ate the food, and left.

That evening, when her husband came home and mentioned that Alluri Seetaramaraju had escaped and the police were searching for him, she listened without saying a word. The next day, she told him exactly what had happened—waiting just long enough to give the man a chance to find safety.

Her story of courage inspires me. It reminds me that you can make a difference without fanfare, a raised voice, or a position of power. All you need is a quiet determination to do the right thing.

Desh Deshpande
Life Member, MIT Corporation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Founder, Deshpande Foundation

March is Women’s History Month, a time when many of us reflect on the woman who inspired us the most. Often, it is our mother who has had the greatest influence on who we are today. I am no exception.

My mother, Sushila Deshpande, was the eldest of six siblings. She was just 20 years old when her mother passed away, leaving behind two very young children, aged one and three. At that time, my mother was in college, but she gave up her studies to take care of her family. That moment defined the rest of her life. She was always the one who stepped forward, took responsibility, and quietly did what needed to be done.

In the 1940s, it was uncommon for young men and women to choose their own life partners. My parents were classmates and friends. When my father proposed, my mother agreed on one condition: for the next five years, she would remain the primary caregiver for her younger siblings. My father agreed, and together they became the pillars of our extended family.

My fondest memories of my mother are from my school days. When my father was transferred to a small village, I had to switch to Kannada-medium schooling, where few students completed the 10th grade. My mother supported my studies tirelessly. I often did my homework in the kitchen while she cooked, turning to her whenever I needed help.

She gave me confidence, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility. Much of what I try to do today—helping innovators connect ideas to real human needs and supporting efforts that improve lives—comes from watching her quietly devote herself to others.

Prashanth Palakurthi
Chief Executive Officer
Juju Productions LLC

Who is a high-impact and inspirational woman? Priyanka Chopra would be my choice.

What I admire most about her is how she embraces challenges as an outsider—and then conquers them.

Whether as a student navigating identity in Massachusetts, a newcomer in the disciplined world of pageantry, or a “misfit” breaking into the competitive layers of Bollywood, she entered each space as an outsider and succeeded.

When she faced discrimination in India’s film industry, she moved fearlessly into Hollywood, starting as a singer during NFL primetime. Today, when we see her at the Oscars or on global stages, she belongs there so naturally that it’s easy to forget the grit it took to get there—from Bareilly to Boston to Bollywood to the global stage.

Beyond the screen, she is a formidable entrepreneur and a dedicated humanitarian, serving as a UN ambassador.

What truly inspires me is how she balances these achievements with her roles as a wife and mother, carrying herself with grace while staying connected to her roots.

The takeaway from her journey is simple: don’t be afraid to be an outsider. You can win, again and again. 

Mandy Pant
Senior Director and Lead Technologist
Intel Corporation

This Women’s History Month, as I reflect on the women who have inspired and shaped my world, I find myself looking most often at my two daughters.

They seem to have grown up in the blink of an eye, but the impact they’ve had on my life is timeless.

Motherhood has been my greatest teacher. I quickly learned that to raise strong women, I had to embody the values I preached. Nothing speaks louder than actions, and I continually strive to become a better person for them.

My problem-solving skills were sharpened daily in the trenches of parenting, where I had to find solutions on the spur of the moment with grace and agility.

Beyond the logistics of life, I am constantly inspired by their fresh, unfiltered perspectives. We spend hours discussing everything—from politics in the U.S., India, and beyond to the importance of funding scientific research.

They’ve even helped refine my own philosophy: success is not a final destination, but the act of giving your absolute best. When you commit fully, failure simply isn’t an option.

I may have raised them, but in many ways, they have raised me too.

Praveen Tailam
Former Chair
TiE Global

Growing up in an educated family, I still saw the women around me—my aunts and cousins—constrained by traditional roles and unspoken rules that limited them.

That changed when I was 19 and met my first girlfriend.

She was a revelation—ambitious, hardworking, and clear in her purpose. While she respected her role within her family and community, she maintained her individuality. She showed me what a true partnership looks like.

Through her, I learned about shared responsibilities and developed a deep respect for the resilience women show as they balance evolving roles and life’s natural transitions.

She taught me the meaning of consent, instilling in me the vital understanding that “no” is absolute.

She didn’t just share a relationship—she taught me to see, respect, and value women in their true light. Since then, I have always been drawn to people who embody that same strength and self-assurance.