Former US secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited Ahmedabad last week to pay homage to the late Ela Bhatt, the founder of Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), whom she hails as one of her heroes.
Hillary inaugurated an installation at Lokmanya Tilak Garden opposite SEWA office - the site where Ela Bhatt had planted a sapling and held the first meeting of SEWA 50 years ago. She also paid a floral tribute to Ela Bhatt and fondly remembered her.
Hillary, who is on a two-day visit to the state, launched the global climate resilience fund in Surendranagar after visiting salt pan workers. “It was my privilege to work with her (Ela) and to be her friend. I visited her several years ago at her home here. Today, I was remembering her and everything she meant to us. I am grateful that I get to see that she is recognized in the city she was born in, worked at and founded SEWA. She is remembered by all,” said Hillary.
Hillary first visited SEWA in 1995 and later in 2018 – strengthening the ties with Ela and SEWA over the decades. When she visited SEWA on Sunday and held a meeting with the SEWA members at ‘Hillary Chowk,’ she reminisced her first visit with daughter Chelsea. She said that it might be difficult for her to witness 100 years of SEWA, but she will surely help her daughter and granddaughter to be part of the event.
Hillary listened to the accounts of SEWA members working in diverse fields ranging from plastic processing to construction and lauded their efforts and stories of resilience. She told them that while they have come so far, a challenge in the form of climate change was imminent.
“Whether you are into construction, waste recycling, plastics, street vending or farming, your challenge will be to make an income to support yourself by working through the days of overwhelming heat,” said Hillary, adding that she has brought in various stakeholders to launch the first of-its kind fund to mitigate the challenges and has also sought suggestions on the fund’s applications.
She told the members that they have been a source of inspiration for many women across the globe.