BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, June 12, 2025: “Let’s not just celebrate the women who raised us. Let’s fight for them. Let’s build a future where no woman’s education, health, or voice is ever dismissed.” These words from Guest of Honor Nita Sardana, philanthropist and founder of the Innova Foundation, set the tone for a powerful day that blended tradition with purpose, movement with meaning.
On a sun-drenched May morning, Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta, Georgia, bloomed not with flowers, but with fabric—yards and yards of shimmering saris gliding over dewy grass. Women moved in vibrant waves of color, walking proudly, their pleats and pallu telling stories of resilience, memory, migration, and motherhood. This was not a pageant. This was not a protest. This was purpose in motion.
The S2S Sari Run/Walk, held on May 18, 2025, was more than a community event—it was a tribute. A tribute to mothers, to heritage, to health, and to hope. Organized by Saris to Suits®, the nonprofit founded by pioneering journalist Patti Tripathi, the gathering united people of all backgrounds in a joyful, empowering celebration of womanhood and shared purpose.
Participants walked anywhere from 1 to 5 miles, wrapped in tradition with sneakers and smiles. The attire symbolized more than culture; it embodied courage and community.
Before the walkers took to the trails, the energy of the morning was set ablaze by Uma Murlidhar. With infectious enthusiasm and a playlist full of Bollywood favorites, Uma led a high-spirited warm-up routine that had the crowd dancing, laughing, and stretching in rhythm. Her choreography merged fitness with fun, blending traditional Indian moves with modern cardio in a celebration of joy and cultural pride. As participants twirled in their saris and lunged with flair, Uma’s Bollywood-inspired warm-up was more than just exercise—it was an invitation to embrace movement as empowerment.
The air pulsed with celebration. Henna artists adorned palms in delicate patterns, while the scent of chai and freshly prepared Upma—courtesy of Arogya World and MyDesiPlate—floated from the breakfast tent like a warm embrace.
“With MyDesiPlate, Arogya World teaches Indian American women what to eat and in what quantities at each meal. The sari walk encourages them to be physically active. Both eating right and physical activity are needed for diabetes prevention, which is our passion,” said Dr. Nalini Saligram, founder and CEO of Arogya World.
Then came the thunder. Not from clouds, but from women—strong, fierce, and radiant—beating massive Dhol Tasha drums, their rhythms rising from the earth like a heartbeat. The Nadtal group led a procession of sound, each strike echoing centuries of tradition and power. Saris fluttered as feet moved instinctively to the beat. This was not just music—it was a call to unity, a call to rise. Women of all ages stood shoulder to shoulder, wrapped in heritage and purpose, proving that when culture and cause align, community becomes a movement.
A highlight of the morning was the Sari Fashion Walk, choreographed by the talented Hetal Mehta. Participants strutted with pride, turning tradition into statement, and the grassy pathway into a runway of resilience. As saris twirled and colors dazzled, applause erupted—not just for style, but for the stories woven into every thread.
Raffle prizes and a silent auction added excitement and generosity to the festivities, giving attendees a chance to win while contributing to the mission of Saris to Suits®. The event was designed to nourish the body, mind, and soul.
Amid the festivities, the heart of the event came alive when Nita Sardana took the stage. With sincerity and strength, she delivered a speech that stitched together the themes of the day: identity, empowerment, and collective action.
“This moment is about more than just a walk or an event,” she began. “It’s a reflection of shared purpose, shared stories, and the shared desire to create lasting change.”
She honored Patti Tripathi for transforming her mother’s journey—walking alone in a foreign land, draped in her sari—into a movement that uplifts women everywhere. “Patti, your mother’s journey echoes in the hearts of so many women who had to be strong without being told they could be.”
Reflecting on her own mother’s courage to pursue education despite societal constraints, Nita shared a message that resonated deeply:
“Education is freedom. It’s not just about degrees or jobs; it’s about having a voice.”
She then addressed a topic often cloaked in silence—menopause. “In many of our communities, menopause is cloaked in silence… But we can change this. It is not a weakness. It is a natural stage of life, and we need to treat it with dignity.”
Calling for better healthcare, awareness, and workplace policies, she underscored that the well-being of women—especially in their midlife and beyond—is critical to the fabric of our society.
With a crowd moved to both laughter and reflection, her words stitched a thread of urgency into the tapestry of celebration.
Johns Creek City Council member Bob Erramilli, another Guest of Honor, took the mic with his wife Dr. Shyamla Erramilli by his side. In a moment of spontaneous humor and warmth, he greeted the crowd with a cheerful Namaste. His message rang deeply: “It just takes one person,” he said. “One person like Patti Tripathi, and there are so many ‘ones’ in here. Please do not discount yourself… you are that next one, the one who will take the next step forward. Please do not hesitate. Join with them.”
It was a call not just to witness, but to act. To step up, as so many had done before. To recognize that change always begins with one—then ripples outward, sari pleat by pleat, step by deliberate step.
Founded in 2012, Saris to Suits® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances gender equality, education, cultural competency, and health for women and girls. Through events like the Sari Run/Walk, it transforms cultural heritage into active advocacy. The sari, in this space, is not only ceremonial—it is symbolic of struggle, strength, and selfhood.
Saris to Suits® has joined hands with India-based social enterprise “I Was a Sari” to transform vibrant, upcycled saris into one-of-a-kind western silhouettes. Every purchase stitches opportunity into the lives of the women artisans who craft these pieces, turning heritage fabric into modern style while championing fair wages and eco-friendly reuse. Together, they weave a story of empowerment and sustainability—linking East to West through fashion that feels good and does good.
“We have sought to be a force for good. Since launching the charity 13 years ago in Florida, we have initiated different programs, aligned with many organizations in the U.S. and India to make a greater impact. The sari walk/run celebrates women, mothers, and daughters during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As we take steps forward, the aim is to promote a life well lived through nutrition, exercise, and wellness,” said Tripathi, who hosts Breathe Easy: The Latest podcast for American Thoracic Society, or ATS, with 40,000 followers “It’s very heartwarming to see hundreds of smiling faces decked out in their finest to dance, walk, run in our mom’s footsteps.”
Thanks to generous support from the Tripathi Foundation (Grand Sponsor), Innova Solutions, Kunnatha Lawson LLC, Arogya World, Publix, the Sheth Family Foundation, the Ahuja Family, and Larry Erickson (Edward Jones, Roswell), the event delivered more than steps taken or funds raised—it delivered connection, inspiration, and momentum.
They walked for health. They danced for joy. They stood for mothers. And in every swish of silk and flash of color, they reminded us: women do not walk alone—they carry generations with them.
For more information or to support the mission, visit: www.saristosuits.org.
