Close X
Saturday, December 21, 2024
ADVT 
Spotlight

Suhana Gill : Empowering Youth and Shaping the Future

Naina Grewal Darpan, 24 May, 2024
  • Suhana Gill : Empowering Youth and Shaping the Future

At the young age of 17, Suhana Gill is making waves in both the pageantry world and the realm of environmental activism. A Bachelor of Arts student in Political Science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Gill graduated two years earlier from highschool, and was accepted into university at the age of 15. Gill's passion for Canadian politics and environmental advocacy shines through in her various endeavors.

Raised in Surrey, British Columbia, Gill's journey into pageantry began unexpectedly at the age of 17 when her aunts encouraged her to participate in a local pageant. Despite initial hesitation, Gill embraced the opportunity as a chance to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone. Supported by her parents and the wider community, she embarked on a path that would eventually lead her to be crowned Miss Teenage Southern British Columbia.

However, Gill's impact extends far beyond the realm of beauty pageants. With a deep-rooted passion for environmental activism, she established the Bluer & Greener initiative to raise awareness about climate change and engage youth in advocacy efforts. Through this initiative, Gill aims to empower young people to take action and support impactful environmental organizations, fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet's well-being.

In addition to her environmental advocacy, Gill is blazing a trail in the field of corporate law. Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, she remains steadfast in her determination to pursue her career goals. With aspirations of running for political office, Gill is driven by the belief in the importance of diverse representation in all fields, “I am motivated by the desire to be a role model for young girls, showing them that their voices are essential and can profoundly shape our society.”

Balancing multiple commitments may seem daunting, but for Gill, it's all about prioritization and living in the moment. Whether she's advocating for environmental justice, preparing for the Miss Teenage Canada pageant, or representing women's interests at her university, Gill approaches each endeavor with passion and determination. 

The powerhouse shares, “I have been elected the Women’s Representative for the Kwantlen Student Association to represent the women out of the 22,000 students within the university. I believe it is important that women empower one another, because when one of us wins, all of us win.” Surely, as she celebrates her upcoming 18th birthday and enters her third year of university, Gill's list of accomplishments continues to grow. 

Through her advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to creating positive change, Suhana Gill is indeed leaving a lasting impression on the world around her. In Gill's own words, "With one goal in mind, before I leave this world, I hope to make a positive impact, and be remembered by the hearts I touched." 

MORE Spotlight ARTICLES

A Pathbreaker's Journey Mannu Sandhu: Pioneering South Asian Cinema through ISAFF and Beyond

A Pathbreaker's Journey Mannu Sandhu: Pioneering South Asian Cinema through ISAFF and Beyond

Born in India and raised in Vancouver, Sandhu's journey from a correctional officer to an accomplished actress, model, and community activist is a testament to her unwavering determination and commitment to bringing about positive change. Today, Sandhu is not just a shining star in the entertainment industry but also a leading force behind the International South Asian Film Festival (ISAFF), which celebrates diversity and inclusion through the power of storytelling.

Kamal Sharma: A Cultural Trailblazer Preserving South Asian Heritage

Kamal Sharma: A Cultural Trailblazer Preserving South Asian Heritage

From being the first person to sell original Bollywood movie prints to hosting entertainment shows that garnered a cult following among ethnic communities to introducing concerts that brought legendary South Asian artists to Vancouver, Kamal has been a pioneer in shaping the South Asian cultural landscape.

Singh with Style: Tejeshwar Singh

Singh with Style: Tejeshwar Singh

Style consultant, influencer, and model Tejeshwar Singh is often recognized as the first turbaned Sikh to be featured in many of the spaces he works in. Since childhood, Singh exhibited a keen interest in fashion, passionately selecting his clothes, with his father often capturing his oomph-factor moments through photographs.

Ashlyen Singh: Empowering Girls through Sports and Leadership

Ashlyen Singh: Empowering Girls through Sports and Leadership

In April 2023, Ashlyen Singh won the BC School Sports Women in Sports & Leadership Award, recognizing their commitment to student-athletes and school sports. Besides teaching at school, Ashlyen also runs Abbotsford Basketball Association (ABA), a non-profit organization they co-founded with their partner, Dylan Kular, to make basketball and quality programming accessible to children at an affordable price.

Documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja: “You have to be very comfortable in chaos.”

Documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja: “You have to be very comfortable in chaos.”

To Kill a Tiger initially started as a different film, focusing on an NGO creating awareness among men and boys about women’s rights. In an exclusive interview, Pahuja shares what it was like to direct To Kill a Tiger.

Storyteller with a Story: Harpo Mander

Storyteller with a Story: Harpo Mander

Brown Girl Guilt was born, a podcast through which Harpo provides language to the shared experiences of brown girls and unpacks her brown girl guilt, while continuously exploring what a world without that guilt looks like. In 2022 alone, Harpo released 28 Brown Girl Guilt episodes, which were listened to across 79 countries.