Jyoti oversees all aspects of South Asian Workers’ Center to ensure that we operate effectively. She aims at strengthening the prospects for economic and social growth of the vulnerable immigrant communities in Boston. With her rich research experience on workers issues from the South Asian Countries, she brings in a unique perspective. She gained a deeper understanding of the deplorable working conditions in the India Coal mines and the Garment industries of both India and Bangladesh which gave her an edge over understanding labor issues within the Global North.

Jyoti is a lecturer with the Sociology dept. at UMass Boston. Originally from India, she earned her MA, MPhil and PhD in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Delhi University- New Delhi. South Asian Workers’ Center branched out of her ethnographic research (MIT -Women and Gender Studies) which aims at organizing the immigrant community, and connecting them with the available resources in their neighborhood.  jyoti.sawc@gmail.com / 617-299-6393.

Shruti brings to SAWC her interest and motivation of working on socio-economic issues that impact the working class South Asian immigrants in the US. She has a vast experience in strategic tax consulting and litigation management while working with a leading Singaporean law firm and with Big 4 consulting firms in India. She has a LL.M. in International Taxation from NYU School of Law.
The Supreme Court of India in its landmark judgement on transgenders in 2014 referred to her paper on the subject published nationally in 2005. 

Amna Ayaz is currently studying Biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. As an immigrant student from Pakistan, she is drawn towards social causes related to immigrant communities. Her understanding of immigrant students’ issues motivates her to build a robust community, one in which they cooperatively develop the cause further. Ayaz has volunteered at SAWC for half of a year and her family hosts Chai Addas in the Winchester/Woburn area, collectively interested in mobilizing other Pakistani and Indian families. Serving as SAWC’s General Secretary, Ayaz is closely involved with the COVID-19 relief project.

Mrs Riaz Begum fondly known as “Aunty jee” is a  certified nurse assistant from Pakistan who worked as an assistant matron in Multan govt hospital. She went on to run her own clinic there aiding as a midwife. She has the opportunity to aid immigrant Pakistani women cater to their health in various countries in UK and Libya as her husband relocated for job prospects. As an immigrant she  faced many hurdles finding financial stability in new countries and believes that a worker center  can prove to be resourceful for any immigrant trying to establish themselves in a foreign land. She is engaged in outreach programs and is our one stop shop for planning our events. The stalwart of the Center, she provides relentless support to most of  our members struggling with domestic issues

Rupa is  our regional moderator for Nepal who provides financial services at a leading bank in Boston area. Hailing from Kathmandu valley, she has on in-depth understanding of issues impacting Nepali immigrants in the US. With SAWC, she has been spearheading outreach events in Medford, Malden areas and has been actively involved with the voters sensitization project for 2018 educating Nepali families about their rights as a citizen; especially the right to vote. She has her management degree from Nepal and has worked with various financial institutions over the last 8 years. 

Nelofar immigrated to the US from Bangladesh in 2007 as a young bride. At a tender age she embraced a new country as her home. Belonging to a family that owns a successful restaurant in doha , Nilofar has had keen interest in catering and engaging in a cooking coop. It’s to her credit that we at various events of the Center have outstanding food. She is responsible for outreach within the Bangladeshi community in the Rindge tower. Her daughter Safiwah Yesmin too is a vital part of SAWC as a student volunteer and has been organising the youth community from Rindge Tower. Nelofar has an associate degree from Chittagong. 

Farjana Begam hails from the coastal city of Chittagong in Bangladesh. She moved to the US 8 years ago on getting married to her husband who migrated in his early teens. A mother of two, Farjana has a keen interest in culinary art and has expertise in preparing dishes from various cuisines. Her interest leads her to be enthusiastic about developing a business around a cooking coop. She has served the most exquisite meals at various events hosted by the center and food festivals organized around Cambridge. She has a Bachelors in Business Administration from Southern University Chittagong and has been deeply engaged in outreach within the Bangladeshi community in the Rindge tower.