Team One Future | Shruti Venkatesh

I am Shruti and I’m 20 years old. I just graduated with a degree in Psychology. Aside from college, I work as a part-time model. I’ve also written for various mental health platforms, advocating its importance and explaining different forms of disorders and therapies. I’m also an LGBTQ rights activist.

Currently, I work as the Program Director for OFC’s Queer Resource Centre, which is a community based intervention set up to create awareness and empower individuals towards forwarding the queer rights movement in India.

Firstly, what makes me happiest is the (mostly?) all-women team! Not to mention the abundance of Sophians. Secondly, I have never worked in such a warm space. OFC is the epitome of an absolutely non-toxic work environment. I’ve only met the kindest people here. The goals we share gives me a sense of fulfilment that we as an organisation are actually creating the impact we’ve desired. Finally, Vandita – of course. I guess nothing I say about her will ever be enough.

Jaipur!

The older I grow, I’m increasingly faced with the harsher realities of being a woman in India, not to mention the perils of being queer. I’m driven by the disadvantage I live each day. I understood very early that it becomes my primary responsibility to do everything I can towards making things a lot more better for others who are like me.