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PrintTU student Sonya Bhakta is a woman of the world
The college junior works to raise awareness of female-driven international diplomacy.
She was born into a culture where women are discouraged to pursue a high level of education. As a child growing up in India, Sonya Bhakta lived among women who were not intended to become doctors, lawyers or teachers. Rather, they were encouraged to become housewives.
Bhakta, though, was destined for a different future. Her family’s decision to move to the United States 12 years ago allowed Bhakta to finish high school and enroll at The University of Tulsa (TU), where she studies business management.
Now in her third year at TU, Bhakta is already making waves. In December 2008, she co-founded the European Economic Forum, through which she works with several international diplomats as a liaison. In September 2009, Bhakta formed her own company, the Global Initiative Group LLC. The independent company is primarily involved with brokerage services in the United States and overseas. The company will also host events in Tulsa each year to address global challenges.
In spring 2010, Global Initiative Group will host Women in Diplomacy, which will invite senior-level female diplomats from different countries to Tulsa to discuss how women are shaping international diplomacy.
Bhakta is currently working to recruit leaders from China, Colombia, Greece and the Netherlands, as well as a representative from the Cherokee Nation.
“We feel that women are often unrecognized and they are definitely growing a majority in the diplomacy area,” Bhakta says. “We want to showcase their talent and recognize what they do and also discuss various issues that affect women in that profession.”
