I, Chaiti Banerjee, am beyond grateful to be able to arrange and moderate this amazing event at our South Brunswick Public Library. I have tried my best to bring diverse voices and inputs from our panelists – our panel includes our ally, international participations, difference races, youth representatives, different profession. Our panelists are extremely knowledgeable and kind enough to give their time to provide pragmatic inputs.
Dr. Joanna Siekiera is an international lawyer, Doctor of Public Policy from Poland. She works as a legal advisor and a Subject Matter Expert to various military institutions, primarily NATO Centers of Excellence, and as a fellow at the United States Marine Corps Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare. Dr. Siekiera did her postdoctoral research at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, Norway, and Ph.D. studies in New Zealand, at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington. She is the author of many publications and various legal opinions, I would specifically mention the book “Regional Policy in the South Pacific”.which I started reading. Her areas of expertise are the law of armed conflict (lawfare, legal culture in armed conflict, NATO legal framework) and the Indo-Pacific region, Pacific law, and Maritime Security.
Colonel Raj Agrawal is currently assigned as the Commander, Space Delta 2-Space Domain Awareness and Space Battle Management, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Delta 2 is responsible to secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Agrawal served as the Chief of Future Operations, Headquarters Space Forces Component, U.S. Space Command. He has also served as the chief of the Space Control Division for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, and the Chief of International Affairs Space Division in the Office of the Chief of Space Operations.
Cindy Serrano is a globally recognized Certified Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner. She served as a vital member of the team that established the Department of the Air Forces first-ever Diversity and Inclusion office. She is a Truman National Security Political Partner and was recognized on the 2022 Diversity in National Security Leadership and Foreign Affairs Leadership List as one of the country’s influential voices in national security. As a non-profit founder who seeks to empower women and girls around the world, she leads initiatives around the world to address menstrual hygiene, leadership, and professional development. Her efforts across all these areas earned her the UNA (USA) Advocate of the Year 2021.
Kate Mallory is a human rights activist. She is a 2023-2025 Co-Chair of UNA-USA’s Human Rights Affinity Group and a CEDAW Youth Leader with UNA Women. She currently works with the United Nations as a member of the UNESCO SDG4Youth Network. Previously, she was a Youth Consultant to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. In addition, she has also represented young people as a Delegate to the UN’s 67th Convention on the Status of Women, the 2023 High-Level Political Forum, and the UN General Assembly. Kate has also held leadership positions as a member of the 100 Million Campaign USA’s Secretariat, a North America Policy Lead with the Justice for Africa Campaign global team, and as a Student Fellow with the Global Campaign for Education - US.
Lady Tee couldn't join us due to a conflict in schedule with another very important meeting, it’s sad that we all missed the opportunity to listen to her unique perspective and valuable knowledge.
I have tried my best to highlight a few points from each of the panelists from our event’s discussion.
Dr. Joanna: Joanna makes sure other women whom she knows are heard and they speak up. She also shared that her empowerment wouldn’t be complete without the support of men. She also believes that we need everyone on board; indigenous, minority, girls, boys, and human rights, equality should not be only on paper but also should be enforced. She always inspires others with her life journey and says to others – “If you really believe in something you will pursue it, no matter what. So what are you waiting for…whose approval or disapproval?”.
Colonel Agrawal: Raj shared his diverse experience as a high school teacher where his peers were mainly women and later in the military it was manly man. He found culture and social norms have a big impact on how we perceive women’s power; he thinks that it is changing over time in a more positive and progressive direction. One very important aspect Raj shared is that at present Military is mostly driven/powered by Technology, unlike before when it was mostly physical power. Technology is the equalizer. He not only strongly believes in women’s empowerment but also thinks having man and women equally in the military will set an example in the world that the United States of America does believe in equality for women in all aspects. He mentioned – “I consider equality and equity is our national power.”
Cindy: Cindy and Raj worked together to establish the Women Initiative Team for the United States Space Force. She was also mentored by Colonel Raj as an active-duty airman and officer. She thinks championships for women strengthen the United States' national security, specifically in the Pacific region. Cindy emphasizes quality childcare and how it impacts single-parent homes, how it impacted during the Covid pandemic. She enlightened us with her unique perspective on how to make our sisterhood stronger and how to break the glass ceiling for women’s highest leadership in the USA. Cindy mentioned – “I will always keep the door open for other women till my last day”.
Kate: Kate believes human rights, gender equality, equal pay, and childcare affect everyone since we share one Globe and all people not just women. She mentioned it is sometimes daunting to participate in serious issues like trafficking, and climate crisis at a very young age. Kate was participating in her school life at various volunteering and advocating initiatives for the area in which she is compassionate and preparing herself to contribute more towards her motivation, goal, and values. She tries to get involved with many non-profit organizations, which is making positive impacts in our world. Kate always shares useful information, and resources from which other youth can be benefitted and be engaged with.
My above-mentioned highlights are not sufficient at all, compared to listening directly to what they shared at the event. Please watch their valuable inputs, philosophical thoughts, and practical suggestions in the recorded link below of our actual event.