ZWIN: Zarathushti/ Zoroastrian Women's International Network

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ZWIN Founding Members

		Zareen Karani Araoz Dr. Zareen Karani Araoz, daughter of the late Major General and Mrs. Noshir Karani, comes originally from Poona, India. She has been involved with the Zoroastrian community since her childhood, as her parents moved from one city to another and made their home a Zarathushti meeting place. Zareen, now based in Boston, USA, was Vice-President of ZAGBA, and has presented at several Zoroastrian conferences. She cares about harmonizing the world-wide Zoroastrian communities and about the role of mothers in transmitting our values. Zareen is Past President of the International Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research and was their NGO Representative to the UN. She was Professor & Director of Intercultural Relations at Lesley University in Cambridge, USA. Currently, President of "Managing Across Cultures", Zareen consults in cross-cultural team building and collaborations in 20 countries. Zareen has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, two Masters in Comparative Education, English and German, a Law degree and a German Teachers Diploma. Zareen enjoys helping Zoroastrian women from our world-wide communities come together to create the ZWIN Network. Her future focus will be on assessing needs, encouraging contributions and mentoring. She looks forward to ZWIN providing a supportive and uniting force for Zoroastrian women, as they nurture our children, our youth and our communities, in keeping with Zoroastrian values, while contributing meaningfully to the world at large and excelling in their own arenas/professions.

		Nilufer Clubwala Nilufer was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan where she studied at the Mama Parsi Girls School. After graduating from Dow Medical College, Karachi, she moved to New York in 1981. She completed her residency training at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York. She currently lives with her husband Kaika and two daughters in Campbell Hall, New York. She practices pediatrics in Monroe, New York. She is interested in exploring health issues that affect our community. She is looking forward to networking with other Zarathushti health care professionals in an effort to better understand and document health related issues that face our community today.

		Toxy Cowasjee Toxy Cowasjee lives in Karachi, Pakistan where she is actively involved in the social and economic development of Zarathushtis and the community at large. At various times she has served on committees of Women's International Club, International Doll Making Group, Rah-e-Najat, Karachi Parsi Institute, and Mama Parsi Girls' School. She is currently the World Zoroastrian Organisation's representative for Pakistan and has spearheaded the donation-drives for WZO's varied causes including the farmers of Gujarat, India and the Medical Benevolent Fund. Toxy is also the President of the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal since 1995, having served on the managing committee in other capacities since 1970. She has been responsible for initiating a multitude of projects that have made KZBM a dynamic association recognised by Zarathushtis worldwide. These include producing Manna of the Angels, the monthly newsletter What's On, and KZBM's website. Community projects include a nationwide census, a blood donors' directory, and an address & telephone directory that is updated every 18 months. Toxy has initiated a Business Entrepreneurship Loan Scheme availed by nine persons so far. Recognising the importance of continuous education, she co-ordinates regular workshops for the young and old on as diverse fields as learning disabilities, health issues, and computers. Born in Karachi, Toxy was educated in the United Kingdom.

		Dolly Dastoor Dolly was born and educated in Mumbai, then in 1964 after her marriage went to live in Nigeria where her three children were born. In 1973 she immigrated to Canada and has lived in Montreal since working as a Clincial Psychologist, and Asst Prof in Psychiatry, McGill University specializing in the assessment of Dementia. She holds a doctorate in Psychology. Dolly has been active in community life, first in Nigeria and then in Montreal. She was the president of the Zoroastrian Associaion of Quebec, then became the first secretary of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and its president from 1994-98. She chaired the North American Zoroastrian Congress in 1984, and was the co-chair of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston 2000. She was awarded the Outstanding Zarathushti Award in 1994. Dolly is involved in Zonta International, a service organization which promotes the Status of Women worldwide and has served as its chair for the International Status of Women Committee, and president of the Montreal Club.

		Soonamai Dessai Soonamai (nee Rustomji) Dessai was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended the Mama Parsi Girls' School. She received her Master's degree in history, and taught in the Department of History and the Institute of European Studies at Karachi University. After her marriage to Jamsheed Dessai, she moved to Calcutta, India and taught at a Montessori school. Since her arrival in Santa Rosa, California in 1984, with her husband and two children Freny and Rustom, she has been working for a multi-level retirement center. Soonamai's main interests are in eldercare, education, and environmental issues. With her sixteen years of experience of working with elders in a multi-level retirement facility, she is interested in networking with members of the Zarathushti community in assessing and addressing the issues facing our aging population. She is willing to provide supportive information for developing retirement communities, establishing adult day health care centers and other related projects.

		Tenaz Dubash Tenaz Dubash was born in Calcutta and in 1982, immigrated with her family from India to USA. She attended Cornell university for her undergraduate studies and received her Masters in Television/radio and film from Syracuse University. Currently she is working as a full-time writer at FOX TV. This summer while in Iran she filmed and has produced documentary called "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR FOREFATHERS"

		Feroza Fitch Feroza is a graphic designer with several national awards to her name. Besides running her own business, she is the driving force behind an educational scholarship fund which benefits many young Zoroastrian college students each year. She is also actively involved in the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington. The mother of two energetic young sons, Feroza strives to give her children a firm grounding in her religion and culture.

		Zerbanoo Gifford Zerbanoo Gifford born in Calcutta on May 11 1950, was educated at Roedean School and has a Humanities honors degree. An international campaigner, she has worked to empower the underprivileged and as one of the leading women of today, her citation reads "Philanthrophist, Author, Zoroastrian" . The culmination of Zerbanoo's charitable, political and inter-faith work is as Director of the ASHA Foundation which is creating the unique multi-cultural and multi-faith ASHA Millennium Centre which will be a permanent celebration of our diversity.

		Tehmi Grant Born & educated in Karachi in the Mama Parsi School & D J Sind College, Tehmi completed her B.Sc. & worked as a lecturer for a year before she moved to Pune after her marriage. She is an active Trustee of the Grant Medical Foundation which runs the Ruby Hall Clinic, a multi-faceted comprehensive hospital with 450 beds. Her husband Dr. Keki Grant is a cardiologist, also the Managing Trustee and the founder of the 42 years old hospital. Recently Tehmi Grant has founded the "Tehmi Grant School of Nursing" using a complete floor of the newly inaugurated state of the art building in the hospital complex. Her son Purvez who also a Cardiologist --is a specialist in angioplasties with their hospital. Her daughter Zareen is also actively involved with the hospital. On the Board of the Sardar Dastur School as its fund raising chairperson., Founder member of the Rose Society of Pune., Editor of the Bulletin of the National Council of Women., A lady Rotarian., Past President of Poona Womens Council & the National Council of Women---these are a few of Tehmi Grant¹s current and previous involvements. She was also the President and member of the Poona Parsi Panchyat. We are proud that Tehmi, a Zoroastrian, represented India at Washington during the Centenary Celebrations of the International Council of Women and was also a Delegate of the National Council of Women of India at Helsinki, Jordan, Malta, Nairobi, Moscow and several other places. She is ZWIN's Representative in Pune.

		Katayun Kapadia Katayun Kapadia, born in Bombay, has a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Economics from Podar College. She has been actively involved in the Zarathushtrian community activities since her arrival in New Jersey in 1979 and has held several positions on the Board of Trustees on the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (ZAPANJ). She has also served as Secretary of FEZANA for two terms from 1993-1997 and was co-chair fo the Ninth North American Zoroastrian Congress hosted by ZAPANJ in Philadelphia. Katayun presently resides in Paris where she is the world wide controller for Internal Audit Activites for Aventis Pharma's three audit offices in Paris, Frankfurt and Bridgewater, USA. She enjoys the challenges she faces daily working in a multicultural environment with French, German and American professionals, as well as maintaining her balance between her family responsibilities, and her active involvment with Zarathushti activities in France and the US.

		Vera Mehta Vera Mehta Ph.D Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Laison Office Belgrade, Yugoslavia, spent the last 10 years in the Balkans engaged in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and building operations, post disaster reconstructive and emergency services, institutional building, struggle for human rights and gender equality--each of these activities in over 100 countries of the world, have enriched her career of over thirty years.

		Dinaz Mistry Dinaz is the Vice President of the Australian Zoroastrian Association [AZA]Sydney Australia. She completed her schooling in Kanpur India from St. Mary's Convent, then graduated in Arts specialising in Political Science from the Kanpur University. She obtained a Bachelors degree in Laws, later appearing for the Indian Administrative Services Exams. In Bombay she has worked for two reputed Zarthushti firms, Dalal Desai and Kumana as a Tax Agent and the Sir Ratan Tata Institute as Assisstant General Secretary. In Sydney, Dinaz further qualified in the areas of Welfare Services, Human Resource Management and Training and Development and currently works from home. Passionate about Zarthushti affairs,especially on matters which relate to Women,Dinaz spearheads an ongoing enquiry into the history and challenges facing the Zarthushti community in Sydney. Inspired by husband Dinyar who studied Philosophy at Oxford and father Jal who worked for the Zarthushti Association at Kanpur for twenty-five years, Dinaz promotes the practical applications of Zarathushtra's principles to our every day lives. She has two daughters Tamina and Alma who provide insight and understanding in helping her to explore the impact of migrating Zarthushtis and the lessons that accrue.

		Rubina Patel Born in Lahore, Rubina grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. Academic achievements include an A.B. in Biology from Hood College, Sc.M. and Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases from The Johns Hopkins University, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University. Rubina was a Research Fellow at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC where her research focused on using molecular methods to identify the etiological agents of tuberculosis and leprosy. Currently she is involved with volunteer work in many spheres, including coordinating ZAMWI's Children's Avesta classes, and constructing the Zarathushti Genealogical Archives.

		Aban Rustomji Aban Hodiwala Rustomji, an adventurer and an avid reader, has a passionate zest for life. Raised in Parsi Colony, Quetta, Aban has a Masters in Library Science and is a career Library Media Specialist for 28 years. Aban claims many firsts: the first Parsi student to win a scholarship from Baluchistan University, the first to get the S.P.I. L, Gold medal at Karachi University, and of course, the first to race to a prime spot in a parking lot! But for all her firsts, it is her family, which comes first in her life. Aban returned to the US in 1979 as an immigrant to Houston with her husband and two kids. She is a strong advocate for both libraries and public education. Recently, Aban was very involved in the workings of the Seventh World Congress where she was co-chair of Public Relations. As the pace of technological change quickens and timely access to information becomes essential, Aban feels launching the ZWIN3 network will be the forum that will provide the necessary support a Zarathushti woman will seek in order to meet the challenges we face in our careers, family and communities to meet the world of TOMORROW.

		Bapsi Sidhwa Bapsi Sidhwa, recognized as a leading voice in South Asian literature, is also described as Pakistan's finest English-language novelist. Based in Houston, Texas, she was raised in Lahore, Pakistan, and is part of the Parsi (Zoroastrian religion) minority community. She is the author of four internationally acclaimed novels. Her works narrate migration, borders, and community identity - and reflect her experiences as a woman, a member of a religious minority, and an immigrant to the United States. Sidhwa's novel Cracking India, on the religious bloodshed of India's 1947 Partition through the eyes of a Parsi girl, was the basis for Deepa Mehta's 1999 film Earth -- India's entry to the Academy Awards. Both book and film were included in President Clinton's 2000 South Asia trip briefing kit. Since Earth's release, thousands of copies of Cracking India have been sold in the U.S. and around the world. Originally published in 1991, the novel reappeared on India's best-seller list.

		Bella Tata Bella Tata has been involved with the Zarathushti community since her arrival in Canada - first in a small way, and then quite considerably. Her immediate family, parents Dali (who passed away) and Shirin Tata, sister Zarine and Zarine's husband Nanu Dastur, other family members and friends, give her life real meaning. Bella has held many positions in the private sector in India, Tehran and Hong Kong, but joined the federal public service of Canada in 1983 with the Department of Industry (as it is now named). In 1993, The Government of Canada honoured her with a commemorative medal for community service during its 125th year anniversary. In 1992, Bella chaired The Eight North American Zoroastrian Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was the first President of The Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia in 1998 (until 2000) - having already served as a Director since 1996. From 1994 to 1998, she was Congress Chair of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), and was instrumental in drafting and finalizing many important guidelines and documents. Her favourite hobbies are sports and music. She believes in providing humanitarian support where needed or feasible, sharing the light of knowledge, and spreading the power of love and devotion to family, friends and community.

		Shehernaz Joshi Verahrami Shehernaz Joshi Verahrami currently serves as Executive Coordinator of International Graduate Programs, The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C. She has a Master's degree in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies and has worked in the past with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, and The World Bank. Shehernaz was born in Indore, India and moved to the United States in 1973. Since that time, she has resided in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is a member of several professional organizations involved in international education, and is also involved in local community organizations and outreach activities. She has been actively involved with the Zoroastrian community since childhood and has served on the board of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington, Inc. (ZAMWI) in many capacities, including President. She has been an invited speaker at several of the past North American Zoroastrian Congresses and most recently chaired the workshop on "Zarathushti Women at the Crossroads" at the recent World Zoroastrian Congress held in Houston, Texas. An active proponent of the promotion of Zarathushti/Zoroastrian womens' issues worldwide, Shehernaz has been instrumental in fostering and educating the community on issues concerning the role of Zarathushti/Zoroastrian women professionally and within the family. She is committed to this network and to working actively to foster communication and develop linkages throughout the global Zarathushti/Zoroastrian community.