Three Women Leaders. One Powerful Day in Charleston.

The excitement is building as we approach International Women’s Day 2026 and Ibu’s celebration of our Global Champions from India. This year, we are thrilled to welcome three extraordinary women leaders—from Bangalore, Aurangabad, and Lucknow—who will travel to Charleston to be honored for their visionary work creating pathways for women to learn, earn a living wage, and safeguard the living traditions woven into every thread of their craft.

I hope you’ll join us on March 5 for the Women in India Mini Summit and the Holi Hai! Gala, where Mamta Varma, Anita Reddy, and Arushi Chowdhury Khanna will take the stage to share their journeys. Each has chosen a bold and demanding path—one rooted in collective growth rather than individual gain. Their stories remind us that when women lift one another up, communities flourish.

Mamta Varma founded Bhairvi’s Chikan in 1998 to preserve and elevate chikankari, Lucknow’s exquisite tradition of hand embroidery. Taught by her mother and aunts, Mamta recognized early on that commercialization was eroding both the craft and the livelihoods of its makers. Starting with just 25 women, Bhairvi’s Chikan has grown into a community of more than 300 highly skilled artisans. Mamta and Susan first met at the International Folk Art Market in 2014, forming a lasting partnership rooted in shared values. Today, the women Mamta trains are among the finest practitioners of chikankari, ensuring this living heritage continues to evolve and endure. Read more about Mamta's story here. 

Arushi Chowdhury Khanna is the founder of LoomKatha, a social enterprise dedicated to reviving himroo weaving. When Arushi arrived in Aurangabad in 2018—the historic home of himroo—she discovered the tradition was on the brink of extinction, with no working looms left. Through sheer persistence, she located two retired weavers, restored abandoned looms, and slowly brought the craft back to life. It took six months to complete her first piece. Susan discovered Arushi’s story through HandEye Magazine, and their collaboration has since produced stunning new designs that bring himroo into the contemporary world. Read more about Arushi's story here.

Anita Reddy is the co-founder of DWARAKA, a movement dedicated to the revival of kalamkari art. Her journey began over three decades ago in Bangalore, when she met an aging kalamkari artist struggling to sell his work. That meeting led her to Srikalahasthi, where she witnessed the severe marginalization of Dalit artisan communities. DWARAKA—Development of Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari Art—was born from this experience, forming a collective that equips women with skills, market access, and agency. Anita and Susan connected at IFAM in 2018, immediately recognizing the power of partnership and shared purpose. Read more about Anita's story here.

During my time at Ibu, it has been a privilege to work alongside these remarkable women as they push progress forward for so many. Now, we have the rare opportunity to welcome them in person—and to listen, learn, and celebrate together.

Please join me on March 5 at the Mini Summit and Holi Hai! Gala to meet these Global Champions and thank them for the powerful work they do to shape a more just and beautiful world.

With gratitude,
Lasley Steever
Chief Grants Officer & Artisan Engagement