Smart Women, Smart Power Lessons from Myanmar
May 1, 2024
Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.org, has a rich history in activism, notably being arrested in Myanmar for advocating democracy. In this conversation, she shares her transformative journey from that pivotal moment to her current work in criminal justice reform. Anand emphasizes the need for open dialogue and bipartisanship to tackle complex social issues. She also discusses the role of gender in leadership, advocating for empathy in male-dominated spaces, and redefines power as a force for collective empowerment, stressing the importance of inclusive democratic systems.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Activism
- Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream.org, recalls rebelling against traditional gender roles in high school.
- Her first protest involved not shaving her legs, leading to a school disciplinary action and a subsequent student-wide movement.
Arrest in Myanmar
- As a college student, Nisha Anand joined a protest in Myanmar advocating for human rights and democracy.
- She and 17 other international activists were arrested for distributing leaflets, an act considered highly illegal under the military junta.
Bipartisanship
- Nisha Anand's experience with Representative Chris Smith showed her the potential for bipartisan cooperation.
- Despite differing political views, they found common ground in their shared goal of promoting human rights.