DJ, Sikh

On The Patriarchy

I gape at her ability to help women give birth and conduct surgery as an OBGYN, but DJ humbly waves her hand to deflect praise. “You do have to focus,” she agrees. “An OBGYN has to center the safety and health of two patients, not just one.”

DJ shows me an image from her phone of her last birthday, when she got professionally photographed in a red, white, and blue sari. It was a way of demonstrating artistically that “we Sikhs are also American.” 

Her long hair, she explains to me, connects with Sikh belief, along with her Indian sari to her heritage and culture.

We discuss the Patriarchy, how we have a ways to go. DJ appreciates the opportunity to represent in my series as a Sikh woman because so often sometimes only Sikh men are shown. 

“Everyone thinks my husband is the doctor,” DJ laughs. “Sikh women are just as strong, valiant and equal to their male counterparts as leaders and advocates for social justice.”

For the last five years, DJ has been strongly advocating for better DEI practices and Health Equity. She has been leading in legislative efforts, consulting, educational curriculums and transformational debriefings with multiple sectors in the health care industry.