Resilience Against the Odds: Women’s Voices | Itisha Nagar | TEDxKunskapsskolan Gurgaon Youth
Dr Itisha sheds light on the lived experiences of women from marginalized communities, particularly the Gujjars/Gurjars, who face systemic violence, ostracism, and social stigma in India. Through real-life accounts and historical context, she explores how these women cultivate emotional resilience despite profound psychological trauma, societal neglect, and extreme adversity. Her talk highlights the strength, survival, and quiet courage of women whose stories often remain untold. Dr. Itisha Nagar, a trauma-focused psychologist, mental health researcher, and two-time TEDx speaker, who brings deep insight and empathy to every platform she engages with.A former Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Delhi, Dr. Nagar has conducted hundreds of talks and workshops across the country, mentoring students and raising awareness on critical issues like mental health, trauma, gender, feminism, and neurodiversity.She has been honoured with the Phenomenal SHE Award by the Indian National Bar Association as one of the 100 most influential women in India (2025), and the Best Use of Traditional Classroom for Mental Health Literacy Award by Bharat Dialogues.Passionate about making psychology accessible, she uses social media as a tool to simplify complex concepts for the everyday mind. Her mission: to make the world a more compassionate, just, and self-aware place — through the power of education. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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- 10:38Dress Bold, Be Bold and Step Into Visible Leadership | Pamela Gardner | TEDxSanDiegoWomenWhen did you first start conforming to fit in? For me it started in the 5th Grade with my Jordache Jeans. The truth is many of us are still chasing Jordache Jeans, except now it's black suits, title changes, and corporate personas. What we forget is how dress is how we express and when we shrink how we dress, we shrink who we are.It's time to step into the outfit that reflects who you truly are - not who you've been told to be. Dress Bold, Be Bold and that's when the recognition, momentum, and freedom begins.Join the global movement of female leaders in STEM, having more fun, feeling more fulfilled, and making more impacts and advancements than ever before. When more women in STEM bring their whole selves to the table, we generate more innovation, balance, and creative ideas in the world.website: https://itstimetogetvisible.com/pam-gardner/ website: https://www.bvsconnection.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-gardner-7a7553/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.gardner.716/ Instagram: @thebadassbutterflyyy#WomeninLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #Visibility #Leadership #TED #TEDxSanDiego #TEDxSanDiegoWomen For 35 years, Pamela Gardner has been a global leader, entrepreneur, and transformational coach in science and technology. Spending over half of her life conforming to outdated stereotypes, she started the "The Art of Women Thriving in STEM Movement." She is now helping thousands of women rewrite their stories and step into visible leadership to bring their authentic flair and whole selves to the table. Pamela is also the Founder and CEO of Biotech Vendor Services (BVS), which she founded in 2003. BVS' mission is to advance science through innovative products and services, enhance sustainability in the labs, and empower women to rise in STEM. In 2019, she was awarded the esteemed Athena Pinnacle Award for making a significant difference in the lives of women in STEM. In November 2021, she was awarded one of San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year Awards and was recognized as one of San Diego's 500 most influential people in the Health and Science Category. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 6:06The power of communal healing | Kennedy Murphy | TEDxSanDiegoWomenAt just 17, Kennedy Murphy has lived through a loss that changed her life—and found a way to turn grief into a source of connection and healing. In her talk, she shares how we can create spaces where people feel truly seen, supported, and unified in their hardest moments. Together, we can transform pain into community strength. IinkedIn: @Kennedy Murphy #TEDxSanDiego #TEDxTalks #GriefSupport #YouthVoice #CommunityHealing #Speaker Kennedy Murphy is a recognized youth grief expert, public speaker, and student leader who uses her voice as a vessel for communication and change. She serves on the Youth Advisory Board at Experience Camps, helping to shape national conversations around grief and resilience. A high-achieving student-athlete, Kennedy is driven by discipline, purpose, and a deep commitment to empowering others. Her advocacy and leadership have been featured in People and Girls’ Life magazines, and she was a speaker at the 2024 End Well conference. She is passionate about leadership, communication, and building a future rooted in business and impact-driven work. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:50The Power of Indian Dance | Andaaz Dance Academy | TEDxSanDiegoWomenExperience the energy, color, and storytelling of Bollywood and Indian dance. Through rhythm and movement, Andaaz Dance performance celebrates culture while building bridges in the San Diego arts community. Get ready for a journey that unites tradition with modern expression.Bollywood and Indian dance filled with color, music, and stories. Our performances build bridges in San Diego’s arts community; connecting cultures, starting conversations, and creating moments where everyone feels welcome. Website: www.dancewithandaaz.com Instagram: @andaazdanceacademy #TEDxSanDiego #Dance #Performance #Bollywood #IndianDance #music "Andaaz Dance Academy is a dynamic, women-led South Asian dance collective based in San Diego. Founded by Kinjal Kurani at just 19 years old, Andaaz fuses Bollywood, Indian classical, and hip-hop styles to embody the vibrancy of contemporary Indian culture and the creative spirit of San Diego. https://www.dancewithandaaz.com/Through high-energy classes, immersive workshops, and captivating performances, Andaaz fosters joyful, inclusive spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect through movement and storytelling.Rooted in cultural tradition and powered by community, Andaaz is a celebration of identity, heritage, and the shared rhythm of togetherness." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:14Charging stations for electric wheelchairs | Teresa Valenzuela | TEDxSanDiegoWomenWhat if your freedom was limited by the charge on a battery? Teresa Valenzuela reveals the hidden barrier of "battery anxiety" for millions of personal electric vehicle users and presents a visionary solution: accessible, solar-powered charging hubs that promise to power a future of true mobility and independence for all. #AccessibleMobility #ChargingOurFuture #InclusiveDesign #TEDxSanDiego #TEDxSpeaker #TEDx #TED Global Mobility Advocate and seasoned speaker Teresa Valenzuela integrates urban design with technology solutions, driven by her 32-year experience as an electric wheelchair user to dismantle mobility barriers, envisioning innovations like her AI Network of Charging Stations. Her accessibility insights resonate across platforms, including a keynote at California's Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative launch advocating for inclusive digital infrastructure. Using her experience as a catalyst for change, Teresa promotes accessible technology and transportation for universal mobility. With decades of experience, she offers unique insights into urban planning, micromobility, and inclusive technology, seeking global collaboration to advance accessible mobility solutions. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:42Is DNA the answer when we run out of silicon? | Anagha Rajesh | TEDxBangaloreAs our digital world generates more and more data every day, we're facing a storage crisis that silicon technology simply cannot solve. While datacenters expand to the size of football fields and consume energy equivalent to entire cities, one entrepreneur believes the answer isn't in building bigger, faster, or more efficient computers, it's in understanding biology better.Anagha Rajesh has identified a fundamental flaw in how the tech world approaches DNA data storage. While researchers spend fortunes chemically manufacturing DNA sequences from scratch, they're completely missing DNA's most revolutionary feature: it's naturally rewritable.Unlike traditional storage that burns out or becomes obsolete, DNA has been perfecting its storage and editing capabilities for 3.5 billion years. Anagha harnesses this biological rewritability, using chemical tags that can be added and removed just like nature intended.Does this mean we will enter a post-silicon era where pocket-sized DNA chips could store the entire internet and open possibilities for biological computing that extend far beyond storage into solving complex mathematical problems and even quantum computing applications? Anagha Rajesh is a biotech innovator and founder of BioCompute. She is passionate about the future of genetic technology. With a background in synthetic biology, she explores how nature's code can solve modern problems. Anagha has been recognized for making complex science accessible and exciting. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:25Is Humor the Antidote to Hate? | Falah Faisal | TEDxBangaloreWhat happens when you create India's first Muslim superhero whose catchphrase is "Jai Shree Allah"?In this experimental conversation format moderated by Sahana Srikanth, Falah Faisal, creator of the comic series Musalman, reveals how humor can be more powerful than hatred in healing a polarized society, while seamlessly switching between his role as comic creator and embodying Musalman the superhero, who also joined the stage.Growing up in an India where neighbors shared biryani on Eid and burst crackers together on Diwali, Falah witnessed the slow disappearance of the multicultural fabric that once defined the country. Through his irreverent comics, he fights back, not with violence, but with wit, creating a superhero who is "equally offensive to everybody" while challenging every stereotype about faith, identity, and belonging.Discover how this unconventional creator uses "gonzo journalism" through comics to capture the essence of modern India and why he believes fiction can show us the way forward.This isn't just a story about comics, it's a masterclass in using creativity as activism and laughter as resistance. Falah Faisal is an Indian writer, comedian, and filmmaker known for creating Musalman, India's first Muslim superhero, and Falahdeen, a modern twist on the Aladdin story . His work blends satire, cultural commentary, and personal storytelling to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
