Meet our Kaurs. These women boldly deliver their wisdom and help us build a community of empowered Sikh women.
Amarpreet Kaur
​ @Amarsikand
My name is Amarpreet Kaur, and I'm venturing into the world of creative expression. Always a pragmatic person, dedicated student, with a Masters in Nursing, life has now gifted me with the opportunity to explore my artistic side through mindfulness meditation and reflective writing. I draw inspiration from my children who express themselves authentically in their friendships, their fashion sense and their playfulness.
I am redefining the meaning of love by rooting myself in Sikh history, motherhood and nursing. The constant in my life has been a deep desire to make a positive impact in the world. I hope to continue to volunteer, learn, and work in environments that create a more equitable society.
Amrit Kaur​
Amrit Kaur was raised in a California Central Valley home with the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (“Baba Ji’s room”) in its center. It is there her work as a sevadar began, and then in the local Gurdwaras tidying the common spaces. When she grew older, she joined the food preparation duties in the langar hall.
She attended many camps and retreats to explore her faith and her challenges within it—political, cultural, and practical. Through those experiences, she learned her Sikhi can expand as her world also does—and that her own personal relationship with a formless, casteless, and genderless God, along with teachings from an egalitarian faith, can help her more fully give and receive love as a member of the Guru’s sangat.
As an adult, her seva grew into serving the unhoused, organizing tenants, expanding access to resources, joining various local and global struggles for collective liberation, and growing a garden that supports her spirit, belly, and non-human life.
She frequently considers how she may scale up her seva, knowing that acts of service are not the requisite systemic change necessary to eliminate conditions that cause vast suffering.
Her motivation is derived from Sikh ideals of omnipresent beauty, the vastness of love and what becomes possible through it, and the knowledge of Ek. An excerpt from her upcoming novela, The Tea Ladies: Four Women Travel Across Three Lands, is featured in Kaurs Reimagine.
Arvinder Goomer
I am Arvinder Goomer, carrying within me all the different roles my life has afforded me, daughter, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, sister, wife, friend and multitude others. The constant within all of these is a writer and a poet.
My first book, a Kaur’s Story, came out last year and is available on Amazon. I am honored to be a part of an anthology that is being curated by Meeta Kaur. My hope is that as Kaurs share their stories with their sangat, we heal ourselves and initiate a dialogue within our communities about much needed change. Rab rakha and Guru ang sang.
Chandeep Kaur Gill
Chandeep Kaur Gill (She/Her) is a seeker of Divine Blissful Connection, a soulful creative, a nature-loving human, and a fiercely passionate Canadian-born Sikh woman who leads from the heart and soul to make the world around her better for everyone in it. Her commitment to soulful leadership stems from childhood exposure to and practice of disciplined reflection, consciousness, awareness and seva. Guided by the Inner Whispers from her Masters, and always one for adventure and new experiences, she ditched the traditional 9-5 and became the curator of her life by becoming a certified Life Coach, a Reiki Master, and a full-spectrum Mamaglow doula. After receiving an unfavourable diagnosis from a fertility specialist, she took her accumulated life experiences and epiphanies, and picked up a pen, putting her reflections, thoughts, heart and spirituality into her writing to process, share and amplify her experiences to support others on their own journeys. Today, she helps other women on their fertility journeys to reconnect with themselves and their spirituality, their inherent self-worth, and their Inner beauty.
Chandeep is on a mission to break the taboo around (in)fertility, particularly in the Sikh and Punjabi community. When she’s not traveling and creating beautiful memories with her amazing husband, you can find her lost in a book, painting, dancing solo in the kitchen, learning a new healing modality, DIY-ing, on a nature trail, baking sourdough bread, and eating said sourdough bread – usually not all at the same time.
Christine Kaur
​​ @Americanbornconfusedsikh
My name is Christine Kaur. Although I’ve worked in insurance for the majority of my life, my true passions lie outside of work. As a child, I grew up around many different faiths which became a bit confusing at times so by the time I entered college, I yearned to learn as much as I could about Sikhi. In my early 20’s I went to as many Sikh camps, retreats, forums, discussions, and workshops as I possibly could! I was an active participant and volunteer for the Hemkunt Speech Competitions and one year I even served as vice president on the Gurudwara committee at Sikh Center in Houston Texas!
I am also passionate about female independence and balancing and navigating that independence through eastern and western cultures. I started a blog called AmericanBornConfusedSikh in which I write about a wide array of topics that I’ve just mentioned. I found the love of my life in my 30’s and after marriage I moved to Scotland to be with him. We now have 2 kids as I approach 40! Each decade has taught me so much but through it all writing has been an outlet of all sorts!
Gurleen Kaur
​ @Greengurleen
My name is Gurleen. My origins begin in community organizing and youth empowerment work for the Punjabi-Sikh community. I love facilitating conversations of self and communal reflection. I center active listening, empathy, and love in my practice of creating learning and healing spaces. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Society and Environment from UC Berkeley.
I worked in healthcare before creating a spiritual educational product and getting my Master’s of Education with a focus on sexual violence prevention from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Since then, I have worked in real estate and most recently housing development. I am an intuitive energy healer and am currently exploring my connection to the land through farming. My goal is to connect back with my body and the land, so that I may one day be capable of serving both Mother Earth and the people. I send love to all their crazy, unique, epic journeys toward themselves and the Light.
Gurpreet Kaur Padam
​​ @Compassionasmedicine
Dual board-certified in family medicine and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Gurpreet K. Padam founded and is CEO of Home Based Medicine. A palliative medicine and hospice specialist from Stanford University/VA, Dr. Padam specializes in ethnogeriatrics. Integrating her medical knowledge with a deep understanding of family dynamics, she focuses on whole well-being. As a culturally aware healer, she transforms homes into healing sanctuaries, recognizing that immediate environments profoundly affect health.
A graduate of The Center For Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University, Dr. Padam is a leading advocate for Applied Compassion in healthcare. She also co-founded Sikh Family Center, a non-profit that promotes community health and well-being with a gender justice focus based in the United States. Her commitment to Seva and breaking down barriers to access to care is exemplified by her establishment of free clinics within local Gurdwaras, ensuring healthcare reaches all who need it.
Drawing from her experience as a daughter, sister, mother, wife and appointed Commissioner for the county Commission on Disabilities, she strives to transform homes into equitable nurturing spaces that foster well-being by incorporating principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Her literary contributions, such as "Her Name Is Kaur" and "Kaurs Reimagine," bridge cultures and enrich collective human experiences, reflecting her belief in fostering compassion for a brighter future, especially as a proud mother to her twin children.
Harjit Kaur
@KaurArts @NovelWhims
Harjit Kaur is a Sikh attorney, amateur artist, and aspiring writer who grew up in a small town in Sonoma County. With Waheguruji’s mehr, she has been blessed to dedicate over a decade of her career to civil rights, human rights, and advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence—serving the most vulnerable populations in the community.
As a survivor herself, Harjit has conducted numerous CLE-accredited trainings on trauma-informed and culturally competent survivors’ advocacy, in hopes of improving the arduous legal experience for all survivors. When she is not busy lawyering, or painting a new piece inspired by her activism, you can find Harjit curled up with a heart-tugging novel and an exceptionally large cup of coffee/chaa snuggled up next to Tarandeep Singh Bali (her husband), Donut (her doggy niece), or one of her rescued foster pups.
Indira Kaur Ahluwalia
@Indiraahluwalia
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My name is Indira Kaur Ahluwalia. I am an activist and entrepreneur turned advisor and coach, and a sometime author. As an advocate for human dignity, equality and social justice, my values, which I only retroactively realized are steeped in Sikhi, have created the paradigm for my career.
I have founded, led, and advised organizations and coached executive leaders to build equity, effectiveness, and achievement. I inculcate purpose with strategy, and foster effectiveness with integrity to propel individual and organizational achievement. I address culture and integrate equity to operationalize vision and impact.
As a motivational speaker and author, I choose to explore truth with compassion. In my first book – Fast Forward to Hope: Choosing to Build the Power of Self, I share the realities of facing Stage IV cancer and what I learned about living life fully even as the fight continues. At my core, I am a grateful mother of two remarkable young adults, and the proud daughter of Amrit and Jayant Kalotra.
Inni Kaur
www.innikaur.com
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Inni Kaur is a passionate author, poet, and artist. Her published works include Journey with the Gurus, a children’s book series inspired by the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib, Sakhi-Time with Nani ji, Thank-You Vahiguru, Daddy’s Turban, The Story of Us and The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh. She is passionately involved in trans-creating Sabad and Bhai Vir Singh’s writings. She is a prolific writer whose work is featured on Sikhchic.com and SikhRI.org.
Inni is active in Sikh community affairs, raising awareness on crucial faith and women’s issues. She frequently speaks at community and interfaith events, the U.S. Office of the Pentagon Chaplin, and several universities.
To Inni, every single day is a celebration. Her writings are inspired by that same outlook on life and Sikh thought. While she writes anytime the spirit moves her to, she also thoroughly enjoys watching the clouds pass her by, taking long mindful walks to appreciate nature’s innate beauty, and painting abstract artwork. She resides in the USA. Her artwork can be viewed at www.innikaur.com
Jasmine Kaur Bagga
@Jasminekaurbagga​
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I am Jasmine Kaur Bagga, a young adult still finding her way through the world. By day, I'm a psychologist - a profession that constantly challenges me to be more insightful and reflective, both in my work and in my personal life. Alongside, I am an avid reader and writer who thrives on the exchange of stories, finding solace in both sharing my own narratives and listening to the life experiences of others.
Storytelling is my passion and I believe in the power of stories to connect us, to heal us, and to make sense of the world around us. As a little girl who grew up in a bustling joint family, I learned the value of community and stepping into the world on my own was both daunting and liberating. It's been a journey of self-discovery, filled with ups and downs, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jasneet Kaur
I am Jasneet Kaur, a small girl who dreamed of having multiple careers (teacher, artist, writer, doctor) and through the Guru's Kirpa, has carved a space for herself where she can engage in all those adventures. I am a child who was and continues to be loved unconditionally by her parents, a young girl whose confidence was taken from her, a young adult who excelled in every way anyway, a young woman who believed that true love was not only found in fairy tales.
In addition, I am a grown woman who not only found her true love, but also learned how to grow because of love, accept in love, and heal with love. Last but not the least, I am a mother who loves her daughters unconditionally and continues to travel out of her own comfort zone in an attempt to create spaces that can welcome, hold, and nourish the youth and womanhood of her most beautiful blessings!
Jasvir Kaur
@Drjksingh
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God blessed me with the privilege of being a woman in this life. My name is Dr. Jasvir Kaur Singh. I didn’t always think being a girl was a privilege but I came to this realization due to my family and sangat. Now, when someone tells me I don’t belong at the table, I get more of a drive to prove them wrong. I look back at my child self and see one who told herself she couldn’t.
As I morphed to become a woman, through life's struggles and tribulations, I have healed to love myself first and become a more authentic me. I’ve realized that we (women) are born with great power and that being on this earth means that we harness the power with confidence and humility. In this lifetime we can only serve others by being authentic and true to oneself first.
Kelly Kaur
@Kellykaur3
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I grew up in Singapore and live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My first novel, Letters to Singapore, was published by Stonehouse Publishing, May 2022. Despite the Covid lockdown, I was thrilled to have my poems and works published internationally. Here are some of them: Best Asian Stories 2020, Best Asian Poetry 2021-2022, IHRAF Publishes, International Human Rights Arts Festival, New York (2021 and 2022), The North Dakota Human Rights Arts Festival Travelling Exhibition (2022 and 2023), Growing Up Indian (Singapore), and Landed: Transformative Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women. My social voice was highlighted in my poem, “The Justice of Death,” which was awarded Honorable Mention in the Creators of Justice Literary Awards, New York. My story, “The Kitchen is Her Home,” published in Fragmented Voice, U.K., Heart/h, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Inspired as a new writer, I am pleased that my works will be in upcoming anthologies: Please Don't Interrupt (Canada) and Beyond the Park (Canada). My creative vision expanded when I was invited to be a Preliminary Reader and a Creator of Justice Award and African Spoken Word judge for IHRAM, International Human Rights Arts Movement, New York. I, also, curated and edited an anthology, From Africa With Love, for IHRAM, New York. I was nominated for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant in 2023 and appeared in the Toastmasters International Magazine and podcast in September and December 2023. By finally living my passion, I found a way to the MOON on the Lunar Codex project. My poem, “A Singaporean’s Love Affair” is going to the moon in the NOVA collection on the NASA CLPS-2 Mission Lander, February 2024. Letters to Singapore and a second poem will also be going to the moon on the Griffin Mission in the Polaris Collection on the Astrobotic Griffin Lander, November 2024. My children's book on the first Sikh immigrant in Calgary will be published in 2024: Howdy, I'm Harnam Singh Hari.
Kiran Ahluwalia
@Kirankaur.jpeg
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My name is Kiran Kaur, and I am a Master's student at UC Santa Barbara studying the Sikh community through the lenses of diaspora, ethno-religious identity and gender. I hope to continue the exploration of these topics not just in my academic work, but through other writing and artwork. I learned how to paint from my Dadiji at a young age, and from her concurrently learned the values of discipline, self-expression and creativity.
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I still keep painting and creative expression in my life and I utilize it as a medium to understand my Sikhi, my community, my research interests, and myself. I take a lot of joy in my relationships as a daughter, granddaughter, sister, and partner and I hope to continue to grow in love in each of them.
Manpreet Teji
@Manprizzle9
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I am Manpreet Kaur Teji, a passionate, driven, and courageous Sikh woman following a windy path through my career in public service. With the love and guidance of my family and Waheguru’s hukam, I am very grateful to have the opportunity to bring my Sikh values and teachings to my work everyday. Throughout my professional opportunities serving as immigration Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and now as the Director for Immigration Policy at the White House, I have found my deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities, including immigrants.
Outside of work, my deep source of comfort is classical music, specifically Gurmat Sangeet and Hindustani classical music. I find happiness surrounded by powerful Sikh sisters who are equally navigating their path balancing the the beautiful traditions we have been raised with while navigating the uncharted progressive territory that we hope will be our future.
Meeta Kaur
@Meetakaursm
@MeetaKaur
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Meeta Kaur is a seasoned author, researcher, community educator and speaker.
Currently, she is the lead creator and editor for Kaurs Reimagine, Sikh Women Blaze New Trails, a story collection that spotlights truth-centered storytelling as the site for acceptance, healing, and transformation. Kaur, the editorial team, and the writers have created a working space that prioritizes whole human collaboration, transparency, relearning and unlearning, support, and gentle encouragement to lead with
courage.
She was also the lead visionary and creative editor for the story collection Her Name Is Kaur: Sikh American Women Write About Love, Courage, and Faith. This story collection highlights Sikh American women expanding “the love story” through their lived experiences. The stories illustrate how Sikhi is lived as an ever-evolving love story in human form.
A proud California native, Kaur lives in Washington D.C. with her life partner, Banjot Singh Chanana, her children, Benanti Kaur and Sidak Singh, and Labordoodle, Pluto. The chapter in D.C. is known as life-changing growth.
Poznma Maan
@Poznma
Hi, I am Poznma Maan. I'm an avid reader who enjoys the diverse world that books offer, shaping my perspective and sparking my creativity. In my downtime, you'll find me tackling Sudoku puzzles, strolling with my canine companion, observing birds, watching sitcoms with my husband, and relishing moments with family and friends. Through the written word, I aspire to capture the universal rhythms that resonate within us all.
My passion for storytelling is fueled by a deep-seated desire to explore the profound journey of finding one's true home. It is in this exploration that I hope to connect with the readers, sharing our quest for meaning and belonging in this vast cosmic dance.
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Rajnarind Kaur
@Artofspeakingnj and @Rajandraja
@Rajnarind
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With a focus on strategy, leadership, and finance, I graduated with an Executive MBA from Stern Business School at New York University. I have successfully progressed in various roles within investment banking across my Wall Street career. But those titles alone do not define me as in addition to being an employee, I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, runner, kirtani, voiceover artist, vichola, professor, entrepreneur, author, board member, advisor, international speaker.
Above all, though, I am a student and a sevadaar, in love with Sikhi, forever learning, seeking, yearning to catch a fleeting glimpse, yearning to quench my thirst with even a drop, yearning to breathe in the ambrosial essence, yearning to listen to the meditative vibrating unstruck sound, enchanted by Waheguru and Guru’s Kirpa, so blessed to be Rajnarind Kaur, a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh.
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Raman Mohabir
I identify as a first-generation Punjabi American female who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. My various identities as a daughter, spouse, and doctor have been influenced and shaped in academia.
I grew up in a loving family who not only stressed the importance of educational goals but also created a supportive environment where I could thrive. My husband has also always understood the importance of my educational endeavors and created space in our relationship where I was able to continue that focus. With this strong support system, I have excelled as a Mental Health Counselor with a specific concentration in grief counseling. Much of my research has also included cultural and religious influencing factors on the grief process, with particular attention to the grief experiences of my own Sikh community.
Last but not least, I am looking forward to growing in my identity as a mother to a beautiful, curious, and energetic toddler. I am embracing this new role which has finally provided an opportunity to grow outside of any educational goals or academic influence.
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Saranjit Banga
@Saranasaurus
@Saranjitbanga
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I'm Saranjit Banga, a Bay Area native with Panjab in my heart and the threads of my life woven through diverse living experiences in California, Iowa, and Texas. Now, I find my spirit drawn to the vibrant energy of New York City, where I hope to script the next chapter of my journey. To my core, I’m a woman who is always questioning society, the status quo and realizing the beauty of accepting Waheguru’s Hukam.
My life is a canvas where Seva and self-discovery dance in harmony, creating a narrative where the threads of my journey weave seamlessly into the realms of personal growth. I derive fulfillment from the exploration of my deepest desires. This journey transcends the boundaries of the mind, spirit, and body, a continuous exploration that unveils the essence of being a sovereign Sikh woman. No matter what my age, where my location, or who I’m with, Waheguru has given me the power to love the woman I have become.
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Sonia Kaur
@Thatpunjabimom
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My name is Sonia Kaur and I’m a Californian who moved across the country for love. I am a sarcastic Sikh mother of three children and will very soon be the shortest member of my family. I spread the message of real, imperfect motherhood through humor across social media. I am carving out a space online to share my visibly Sikh family with the goal that they can be seen as a mainstream American family.
My passion in life is to share, in any way I can; whether that is sharing my own knowledge and experiences, or sharing my time through seva that helps others. Creating content, in both written and video form, allows me to express myself creatively and grow that passion. At the center of my life is, and always will be, Hukam. My faith in Sikhi is what keeps me centered and allows me to stand strong in the face of life’s adversities. I am grateful to be able to do my part in ensuring that the strength and love that comes with the title of Kaur is passed down to future generations.
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