Since its initiation a few years ago, Kaur Project has given voice to hundreds of Sikh women who identify themselves as Kaurs. Co-created by Jessie Kaur Lehail and Saji Kaur Sahota, Kaur Project is a storytelling and photography website that highlights the lives, struggles and achievements of Sikh women in North America. “The name Kaur is an equalizer; enabling Sikh women to be able to identify themselves without their fathers or husbands,” says Lehail.
Kaur Project conceptualized when fate introduced Lehail and Sahota in 2015 at a Women’s conference. They immediately bonded over feminism, identity politics, and their mutual realization that many women in Sikhism stood in the shadows of their fathers or husbands. It led to the need of creating a space where Sikh women could share their stories and journeys with women within and outside the community. “We have seen a lot of feminist theory incorporated into mainstream media, but there’s been nothing specifically for and about Sikh women. So we created it,” says Lehail. To date, the Kaur Project has catalogued over 60 Sikh women, from diverse backgrounds.
The project has reached far and wide. Lehail has spoken about Kaur Project’s work at various institutions, namely Apple Inc.’s headquarters in Cupertino, California; Toronto Labour Congress’s Women's Forum; University of California; and Berkeley Hospital Employees’ Union - Women’s Breakfast.
Through Kaur Project, women discuss how Sikhism has helped them navigate their lives from their careers, families, mental health, and body image, among other subjects. The organization has two upcoming event planned - Kaur Project: Conversations and Kaur Project: Live.
Kaur Project: Conversations invites women who identify as Kaurs to have dinner with each other and engage in conversations. Kaur Project conversation dinners consist of respectful conversation, guided activities, and delicious food shared among 50 or more Kaurs who have differing viewpoints, and their best interests at heart. Guests will have the opportunity to exchange stories, engage in dialogue, and begin to build empathy and understanding for one another – all while sharing a delicious meal and having some fun. It will be held on March 9, 2019, at Tandoori Flame Restaurant in Surrey-Delta. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/2XcPOXE
Kaur Project: Live will feature Kaurs who will recount their life experiences of bravery, regrets, sorrow and courageous happiness. During this immersive experience, attendees will have the opportunity to participate by asking questions, engaging in dialogue, and building empathy and deep connections within and between communities – all while listening to riveting Kaur stories, told live. This event is open to everyone. It will be held on March 10, 2019, at the Museum of Surrey. Register at https://bit.ly/2NiXjYs.