Roundtable meeting with Ms. Valerie Jarret Taj Mahal Palace & Towers, Mumbai, November 7th, 2010

FLO Bombay was privileged to be invited by the US consulate to meet Ms. Valerie Jarrett.
Ms. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor and Assistant to President Obama for Inter Governmental Affairs and Public Engagement. She also has a formidable background in taking on the unique challenges and opportunities women face as entrepreneurs and leaders.

Bela Rajan Chairperson FLO Bombay, led the delegation of four member team comprising of Kiran Gera – past National President, Sucheta Shah – Sr. Vice Chairperson and Manju Bhargava, member FLO Bombay Chapter

Ms. Valerie Jarrett was very much impressed with the FLO Bombay ladies that she made a special mention of Mrs. Bela Rajan – Chairperson FLO Bombay & Mrs. Kiran Gera – past National President in the white house blog posted by her.

Posted by Valerie Jarrett on November 11, 2010 at 11:08 AM EST
Kiran Gera, Past National President of FICCO FLO, discussed how she watched as women’s lives were transformed after they were given the opportunity to enter the blue collar workforce and develop skills in masonry and other labor-intensive jobs. She recalled how their success not only changed the women’s perceptions of themselves but also changed how they were perceived in their broader communities. Bela Rajan, Chairperson of FICCI FLO, spoke to the importance of education and how it helps foster women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and social mobility, exemplifying how no country can move ahead if half of its population is left behind.