“So often in life things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
About Shetal
Shetal Shah grew up to the sounds of Bollywood and the delicious smells of her mother’s Indian cooking in the suburbs of New York City. As a second-generation Indian-American, Shetal hoped to one day see more stories of girls like her fill the shelves of local bookstores. A former educator, Shetal taught world history in all-girls schools where she witnessed how curriculum and literature inclusive of women from diverse backgrounds can have a positive impact on girls’ self-esteem, identity development, and belonging. Shetal also developed and led numerous educator workshops, presenting at national conferences covering topics on pedagogy and diversity and inclusion. Shetal currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and her two young boys while pursuing her writing and mission to bring diversity to bookshelves with stories that inspire.
My parents were born and raised in Gujarat, India. They, along with my older brother, set foot at JFK International Airport in the early 1970s to start a new life in Corona Park, Queens, my birthplace.
Eventually, my family moved north of NYC to Westchester County. Growing up, I was part of a competitive Indian dance group and was actively involved in an Indian youth group. I look back on these years and can see how the culture I experienced at home filled a void I often felt at school where diversity lacked both in student representation and curriculum.
I majored in Marketing and International Business at New York University. One of the most interesting classes I took was called South Asian Diaspora. The class analyzed the experience of South Asian immigrants, including identity, belonging, and acceptance. It was the first time I took a class where I truly saw myself in the curriculum.
My first real job was in corporate America. While grateful for the experience, something kept tugging at me as I worked my corporate job. Memories of my young self playing "teacher" with my stuffed animals and then later tutoring and mentoring kids during high school and college told me I need to make a change.
I made the switch and graduated from Teacher’s College, Columbia University with a master's degree in teaching. I was a terrified new teacher, but after my first year at a public all-girls school in East Harlem, I found confidence and joy in teaching. My commitment to girl empowerment followed me to Atlanta where I continued teaching at a girls' school. My purpose as an educator grew as I became deeply involved in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and started to pay closer attention to curriculums across the board asking myself, "Is my identity represented here? Who is excluded?"
My husband and I currently live in Atlanta, GA with our two boys. At first, I thought it was ironic that someone who is committed to girl empowerment would be blessed with two boys. But now, I see that my mission is no less but greater. I now have the responsibility to raise two men who understand their role in creating a more equal and equitable world.
When I was a kid, I would write for hours about anything. I took writing courses for fun and kept post-its of story ideas that I hoped to write one day. I didn't think I'd jump back into writing right after leaving teaching, but my subconscious surprised me and my desire to see more representation in books pushed me to write. Books that my kids can relate to, and instills confidence and pride in their heritage and identity. Stories that celebrate Indian women and girls throughout time. Stories that empower Indian girls, shakti girls.
Follow my journey.
