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Empowered Women Empower: Meet Seema Azharuddin
In this edition of Love Happens’ Empowered Women Empower series, join us for a peek inside the inspiring mind of Seema Niloufer Azharuddin. An actor, producer, writer, journalist, senior consultant with impeccable communication skills, and champion for several causes and campaigns, Seema is a female force! Currently, she volunteers as a spokesperson for the Indian diaspora for Biden’s presidency and contributes to a number of publications. Be empowered!
Empowered Women Empower: Meet Seema Azharuddin
Love Happens: As our name and the tagline of our publisher KOKET denotes we are firm believers that you cannot achieve any level of success without love. When did your love affair with your career path begin? And how did it make you feel?
Seema Azharuddin: With Love, you conquer the world! At the age of 18 or 19, however, love isn’t the dominant power, especially in a culture where fear is a more embedded trait in young women. On a public bus ride to college, I awoke to find myself being fondled by a male passenger seated next to me. At that moment I also awoke to my own power. I got up and yelled, and demanded the conductor throw the man off the bus. With the fear on my face replaced by a look of confidence to defend myself, I recollect this incident as the beginning of my empowerment!
My career path took several hits both personally and publicly before it became a love affair. I began with a passion for acting. This was short-lived as it was considered taboo, since I came from a family of academics. The process of rethinking and regrouping, however, allowed me to re-emerge and build on my oratorial and people skills. To this day the ‘people-planet-profit ideology, is what I work, feel, speak on and drive with the most. I am in a constant love affair with Life.
Lh: What empowers you?
Seema: The powers I already have. All women need to say “Welcome” to the powers they already own! I was born with a few and early on recognized the need to act upon them, and I did. This led me on the path to fight for my rights. As a 10-year-old I got my way when I refused to be bullied into giving up my doughnut to a senior in boarding school. Today, I am a champ at crushing ‘bullism’ (my term for the wanna-be bulls) whenever I am or see others faced with bullies. A lot of bullying has at its core a lack of gender parity. It’s amazing how bullying manifests and is seen as a strength when it is a weakness arising from a sense of inferiority.
Take ownership of the powers you already have.
Lh: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Seema: I am still considering it! I understand that each one of us has the same hours in a day, but it’s how we use these hours, in tandem with helping those in need each day, that makes achievements happen. To make achievements, women must use and grow the power they already have. To make real progress it must be about power, not just ’empowerment’.
Lh: Who is Seema Azharuddin the Woman?
Seema: Maybe it boils down to, I’m a woman who leads by choice, not position. I will wear self-designed Seema boots to my battles with the ‘no guts; no glory’ message tattooed on my arm and win the day. By night I will dance and wine the red, and fan the wind beneath my wings. As a woman, Seema Niloufer Azharuddin tries to keep the victory light burning within even as she sleeps. It is how she survives her adversities, and she has had many. This made her want to be better than she was yesterday.
I, Seema, the woman, do so relate to Amy Schumer’s thought when she said, and I quote, “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say, I say if I’m beautiful, I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story—I will.”
Lh: Who is Seema Azharuddin the Actor, Producer, Journalist, Consultant, and Activist?
Seema: A fire-cracker expressionist! All these avatars gave her the platforms she stands on and for, allow her to express and act upon her beliefs. I have been asked this question a few times and every time they (these avatars of mine) call out to me to take the lead! The actor in me consults with the activist within to write and produce my everyday stories.
It was Coco Chanel that said, “A girl should be two things: Who and What she wants.” While taking on my passions, I see the who and what in me, and hear it. Aloud.
Lh: How do you empower other women?
Seema: Leading by example is important, especially for the many women who are seen through a man’s lens and scrutinized for imperfections. Mistakes, vulnerabilities, setbacks in the workplace or anywhere, do not make a woman irrelevant.
I have advised many to face the truth and speak the truth and, above all, admit to mistakes, then make the corrections and make them count.
There must be NO apology for not being perfect, and I have often advocated that women aspiring to be in leadership roles must admit to their vulnerabilities.
I choose mostly to awaken the power within that most women have. I have an issue with female rivalry and that is of concern as well, but with so few opportunities in the boardrooms or platforms in society, it’s bound to disrupt how the powers are used. So, I try to empower women to make better choices.
Lh: What three pieces of advice would you give to a young woman starting her career?
Seema: Our future belongs to the young in every generation. We must never forget that. I’m very passionate about our not-so-fortunate young and where they are headed with their careers. Advice is cheap, it’s the action steps that will give them a lead, and my top 3 to act upon are:
- Build competence to increase confidence and authority.
- Focus on being responsible and accountable.
- Elevate your competitive hormones and never cheat.
- One more I will add. Please understand the power of money and your power over it.
Lh: Do you have any mottos you like to live by? Or favorite empowering quotes?
Seema: I believe in the motto, ‘What goes around comes around,’ so I try never to hurt anyone or anything.
Of the quotes that come to mind, three that I love:
“A woman is like a teabag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Life is not about reaching finishing lines, it is a continuum.” – Helena Morrissey, British Financer and CEO of Newton Investment Management
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” – Ayn Rand, Russian American Author / Philosopher
And I always have to add this one:
“It’s not your job to like me. It’s mine.” – Byron Katie
Lh: What’s next for Seema Azharuddin?
Seema: To be an author. Groom the girl-child. Fix my wrongs. Practice humility. Find new positions to make love with Life—naked, transparent, and truthful. A perfect climax!
Read Seema Azharuddin’s articles for Love Happens, so empowering and inspiring! And check out her TedxTalk Lead Don’t Plead.
By Anna Beck Bimba
Being a young Indian girl, we need to know the importance of women empowerment in India so that we can make our own decisions for our personal development. I liked the 4 action items quoted in this article. I’ve watched the ted talk which is really inspiring,please do watch it after reading this article.
Fantastic Interview- of Seemaji
very inspiring specially for girls and women of developing countries ,Seemaji leads as an example to discover powe within
Wow, this article reminds me, more about you and your strong will and heart.
Seema, I am still praying for you that you will see God in every step of your life and be lead powerfully by him to inspire many young woman to change for the better, and even have them come to know and trust him themselves.
Seema. Wonderful to see you speaking from your heart. I agree you are just beginning. I am sure mentoring young women. Today is Mother Earth day. You represent her in many of her glory. Gif bless. Good luck.
P.S. Wish you had given up the donut. You might have avoided diabetes.
Fantastic ..Super and so honestly spoken from your heart. Pray that you continue to lead by an example and inspire many women from all across the world . Great work Seema…Wishing you Good luck.
There could not be a better exposition of woman power !
Seema is extremely sorted and clear in her ideas and aims. She truly leads by example.
Great interview. The 4 action steps are a must read for all. Right from the heart to touch the hearts. Dear Seema, you are an inspiration for many, including me.
Great Seema. You poured it from you life . A must read for all budding women . Many takeaways which can mould their life.
Cool and fiery just like you.Oozing and bubbling with confidence to get the fizz out.I like it.You give power to empower. This is called real empowerment!!
Honest, inspiring, bursting with energy! We can all learn from Seema’s journey and determination. Good advice and terrific mottos.
Very inspiring article by Seema Azharuddin ! I have a lot to learn from her . Loved the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt’
Fire Cracker Expressionist!!
It’s inspiring.. Energetic.. Empowering!!
Interesting to know about Ms. Seema Azaruddin, a very talented woman. Wish her Best of Luck in all her future endeavours.
Its always a pleasure to read your articles and interviews Seema. You ooze passion and strength in everything you do and it shows in the way you talk or write. Your interview and the ideas you espouse would rouse many a silent women and also at the same time silence the less confident men who always look at women as not being equals. Keep them coming Seema !!
“Seema” means boundaries, limits.
No way !!!! Let’s celebrate with Seema Azharuddin this journey of waking up to, and embracing, female empowerment. Let’s become unstoppable. Let’s not be apologetic about who we are and where we want to be.
Let’s just give ourselves a big warm loving hug.
WOW! Love this article. I for one can personally attest to the incredible impact Seema has on others in the way she lives and loves. She has touched my life in so many ways and given me hope and inspiration through her words and actions. Seema helps us understand that we all CAN be the best versions of ourselves if we believe in our own natural gifts and abilities and embrace them unashamedly as she does so well! Thank you for helping me along this path.
Going through this luxury magazine, I stopped for a long time going through Ms. Seema’s wisdom on empowerment. It is so refreshing and bold and therefore, empowering. She has a way to help us see that ” I’m possible” and that for women nothing is impossible. I will tattoo the motto in quotes in my heart and share this truly invigorating piece with the woman around me. Thank you ‘ Love Happens ‘ for introducing us to the wonderful Seema. Yes, we must say ” Welcome” to the powers we already own!
Such a great interview! There are so many words to describe Seema, but I think INSPIRATIONAL fits the best!
Such an inspiring story. Seema’s determination to strive for greatness proves she looks beyond herself as a woman and is a go getter to succeed in any field of opportunities. Greatness continued.
Wow, what a wonderful interview this is indeed! So good to be reminded of the many inspiring facets of this lovely person I am privileged to know so closely. Seema is a firecracker alright and I hope we can all borrow a little spark from her personality to light up our own journeys on the path to love and life!
Great interview! More power to you and women. Great tips and quotes to live by.
I really want to know more about blog can you write more blog like this .
A wonderful interview. Seema’s thoughts and determination will definitely encourage and inspire women to believe in themselves. Her grit, determination , honesty and humility will encourage anyone who reads this interview to go for it.
Well done, Seema .
A fitting testament to your life you live Seema…an unrelentingly enjoyable read.
In a word…. brilliiant. Seema has performed much due diligence in not only becoming aware, but in taking that awareness to others to create true change vs lip service. I happen to know that she practices her ‘craft’ warmly and genuinely. I consider myself abundantly blessed and fortunate. One would be compelled to follow this amazing woman’s path!
Yes! Everything about this article bursts with the energy of female potential power and strength .. to always have a high life force no matter what the struggle at hand , is how I’ve known Seema to be my whole life …. this truly is a time for women to celebrate women and help each other rise in anyway we can… radical new feminine blossoming ! I pray everyday that we all live in a land where women are nourished nurtured protected and celebrated xx and seema… may your halcyon days have only just begun !
Such a Nice Article ,
an unrelentingly enjoyable read. such a nice content
Seema has always been one to speak her mind unabashedly. She exemplifies what a woman ought to fight for in today’s world and emerge triumphant. She has beautifully expressed in her interview what empowerment of women is all about.
Kudos to you Seema!!
Seema has always been one to raise her voice against any sort of injustice and is known to speak her mind unabashedly. She exemplifies how a woman of today can go beyond her own limitations and emerge triumphant. In her interview Seema has beautifully expressed what empowerment of women is all about.
Kudos to you Seema!!
A great interview,Seema. An inspiring story of a very talented woman who speaks and writes the way she thinks and does everything out of love. Love your story.
Great Interview- of Seemaji
very inspiring specially for girls and women of developing countries ,Seemaji leads as an example to discover powe within
Another ‘must read’ from Seema. Even in the US, women struggle to embrace the “powers they already own” and to determine their own story. Seema’s great quotes/mottos, action items and her own story help give direction and lead the way for the rest of during our journeys to embrace our own power.
I have no problem at all with women being in power. Black women have had to do it for many many years due to mass incarceration of the black men and killing of black. They are the strongest creatures on this earth. I was raised by a women whom taught me both sides without prejudice. As James Brown would say, Its a mans world but it wouldn’t be nothing without a women or a girl. I love strong black women.
Bravo Seema! Your personal insights help us look into your soul and emotions. It gives us pause to reflect into our own lives and emotional thoughts. You takes your negatives and twist them, turn them, craft them into something now positive. Now that is empowerment! Your quotes are mantras to live by. Your words are a feast by which to gorge. Keep inspiring, Keep empowering!
Very inspiring story Seema! Love it!