Saudamini Pethe

Saudamini Pethe is a prominent feminist role model, actively involved in supporting deaf women across the country. She is the first deaf law student from the country and is a pioneer in making legal awareness accessible to deaf women, she organized along with other lawyers a 12 part series for deaf women last year (2020) demystifying various laws and legal procedures. Saudamini is an avid reader, loves to travel and watch movies & sitcoms in her free time.

Saudamini has completed her M.A. In English Literature from the University of Mumbai and has done the Freelance Journalism and Authorship course from The British Council. She is currently pursuing LLB in Institute of Law and Research, Faridabad, MDU after securing DLAW fellowship.

 Saudamini was born on 26th Sep 1977 in Goregaon (Mumbai) and brought up in suburbs of Mumbai (Dombivli, near Thane – Maharashtra). She contracted meningitis at the age of 9 and overdose of medication led to deafness. Her father is now retired RBI Manager, Mom is Housewife.

Saudamini started as freelance columnist in a youth magazine. She worked as a Greeting Cards Copywriter in Creative Point, a well know greeting cards and ad company, also worked as copywriter, content writer, SEO article writer, and Deaf Instructor in Noida Deaf Society over the years from 2008 till 2010, then again 2018-2019. She has been actively involved in advocacy endeavours since 2008.

During her school years, she felt isolated often and wasn’t invited to birthdays or picnics unless organized by school. She had to undergo immense job struggle as nobody believed that she would be able to work. She was let go within two-three months of first job at Creative Point and had to resume at a lesser salary than earlier in the next job. She suffered discrimination at workplace.

Achievements

a.   Awarded title of Best student in School and several competition awards during college years where she also worked as a Student Representative for one year in 1996

b.    Published many columns in a variety of newspapers, online magazines, websites and also in a Law Journal

c.     Elected as President of Haryana Foundation of Deaf Women Trust twice

d.      Appointed Director of All Indian Federation of Deaf - Women (AIFDW)

e.      Secured Bharat ki Beti Award from AIFDW & KauseConnect

 Saudamini had also written a heart wrenching piece in the Caravan Magazine about a deaf girl who was raped and murdered in Palwal, Haryana. (https://caravanmagazine.in/communities/an-open-letter-to-our-deaf-daughter-from-palwal). 

 There are many such stories of injustice, which have been buried without much action. Saudamini hopes that she is able to use her education in creating solid impact in the area deaf women empowerment. She is a beacon of hope to many deaf sisters!