“We women have several forms:
mother, daughter, sister, friend… warrior.”

Like many identifying women and girls, our founder, Swati Bhise grew up and was told to stop being unruly and unladylike. Her mother always
said, “Who do you think you are? The Rani of Jhansi?”

Like many identifying women and girls, our founder, Swati Bhise grew up and was told to stop being unruly and unladylike.

After making and releasing the
award-winning film, The Warrior Queen of
Jhansi, in 2019, Swati wanted to create a
movement to celebrate modern Asian American
and Pacific Islander women just like you.

Swati Bhise directs on the set of The Warrior Queen of Jhansi.
Swati Bhise directs on the set of The Warrior Queen of Jhansi

AAPI women should see
themselves represented
throughout American
entertainment.

Devika Bhise plays Rani Laxmi Bai as the first brown female lead in a Hollywood action film.
Devika Bhise plays Rani Laxmi Bai as the first Brown female lead in a Hollywood action film.

The Warrior Queen of Jhansi is the first Hollywood action film with an Indian female lead. In contrast, AAPI women are more likely to be objectified in movie roles than other women.The Warrior Queen of Jhansi is the first Hollywood action film with an Indian female lead. In contrast, AAPI women are more likely to be objectified in movie roles than other women.

AAPI women are underrepresented in American political power.

Without accurate representation in media, AAPI women and girls remain on the cultural outside. There are so many studies that document the importance and effect of negative representation, and the power of seeing ourselves as we are.

AAPI women are
underrepresented in American political power.

While Asian Americans currently make up 6.1% of the population, AAPI leaders hold just 0.9% of elected positions. For example, there are fewer than 10 API women representing us in Congress.While Asian Americans currently make up 6.1% of the population, AAPI leaders hold just 0.9% of elected positions. For example, there are fewer than 10 API women representing us in Congress.

AAPI women and girls face an alarming and disturbing frequency of hate incidents.

According to Stop AAPI Hate, “hate crimes and incidents of violence or discrimination against AAPIs rose sharply over the past year.

According to Stop AAPI Hate, “hate crimes and
incidents of violence or discrimination against AAPIs rose sharply over the past year… In particular, AAPI women and girls report these hate incidents 2.2 times as often as AAPI men; and AAPI non-binary people have also reported experiencing heightened incidents of hate.” In a recent survey, AAPI women reported facing the most harassment in places of business, and public sidewalks and streets.

We are loyal, courageous, determined, resilient, compassionate, empowering. And we are going to show each other how powerful we can be.These challenges are why the time is now for us to unleash the fierce Warrior Queen inside every identifying Asian American and Pacific Islander woman and girl. We are going to show each other how powerful we can be.

What you can do