Message from Sujata Tiwari

Standing Committee for Development, Training, and Employment 2024-2027

Seat at the Table

I had a literal experience of this phrase/metaphor at the ARPC BPW Conference that took place in Malaysia that was held in August 24-27 2025. Even before I went to the Conference my New Zealand sisters who had a table to showcase their wonderful New Zealand products had offered to put up my books at their table. One of the best things that the organisers did was to do free seating. The idea is to network and mix with everyone as one doesn’t get to mix and meet with all our sisters across the globe. At times I didn’t know where to sit as I could sit at so many tables and sometimes flitted like a butterfly dividing my time. My decision was again made easy by Janet Gibb President of New Zealand who kindly set me at ease with her discerning wisdom when she said , “You always have a seat at our table but do what makes you comfortable” They never failed to include me at after events get together. New Zealand got one of the awards for best country.

I wanted to announce the two webinars by NAC team , one by Advocacy Chair Colleen and the other by me. It was challenging for me to get the 30 second timeslot. Guess who came to my rescue- none other than President Diana Barragan BPW International. She came to know that my voice was not being heard and she just took me by hand all the way to CenterStage handed me the mic and asked Siobhan Dilly to let me speak. Siobhan asked the participants to listen to the speaker. Even a seasoned speaker like me was bowled over and thankfully I could speak. While this unexpected situation happened Janet Gibb President of New Zealand did not fail to take pictures without being asked of this priceless capture of the moment.

My next challenge was that my colleague Caroline Chou (Taiwan) from the Standing Committee of Development Training and Employment was to present our program on behalf of the Chair Patricia. What was the problem? The problem was that there were not enough chairs for the panellists to sit after they presented at the podium. So only Caroline Chou could speak and sit and even if I stood at the podium beside her I would have to go off stage after the presentation! Well, not as per VP Neelima who worked determinedly to ensure that space was made for that extra chair to accommodate me. Seat at the table happened. Moments become memories and these memories will stay forever as inspiration for me to believe in human angels and authentic leaders beyond titles and designations.

Sujata Tiwari

Author Against All Odds