Hameeda was born to a Muslim family of seven brothers and sisters in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work, having financed her own education and supported her household by selling flower garlands. From joining SBT as a program assistant in 2009, Hameeda went on to serve as program coordinator (2012-2016) and co-director (2016-2018). As field program director since 2018, she continues the initiatives of empowering adolescent girls and women from marginalised sections in Lucknow. Hameeda is also active in various pan-India movements organised by civil society organisations and networks and is often approached to take the lead in facilitating conversations around gender justice issues at the ground level. Hameeda hopes to become a regular trainer in schools and colleges, using cartoon-making as a tool to develop feminist perspectives.

Samreen is from Hussainabad, Lucknow. She is an alumnus of SBT’s leadership-building course and joined the organisation after graduating in 2013. She received a master’s in Mass Communications while working at SBT. She now works as a field program trainer, leading the basic job skills course. Samreen likes to anchor the videos produced by the Lucknow Leaders. Her goal, drawing from her own experience, is to inspire women to break free of restrictive spaces such as conservative, patriarchal homes.

Uzma is from Rajajipuram, Lucknow. She holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce. She is one of the oldest members of the SBT team, having started her journey with the organisation in 2011. She has been a cashier and administrative officer for SBT since 2018. She was also part of the leadership-building programs and now conducts computer training for these programs. Uzma wants to be an accountant in the future.

Huma is from Campwell Road, Lucknow. A high school graduate, she is an alumnus of SBT’s leadership-building program (2017-2018) and now leads the advanced leadership-building course at the organisation. She has also been working as a field mobiliser for the field-level girls program at SBT since 2019. Approximately 30 mohallas are under her leadership. A survivor of gender-based violence, Huma wishes to use art as a tool to highlight the importance of a gender-just future.

Mariyam is from Gulzarnagar, Lucknow. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, English and Sociology. She has run the Nazariya Leadership Centre at Garhi Kanaura for girls’ programs at neighbourhood forums since 2018. She also co-supervises the basic leadership building programs with Samreen. She has undergone training on gender and perspective-building in the leadership building course (2018). Mariyam dreams of becoming a computer trainer.

Naziya is from Radhagram, Lucknow. She graduated from the leadership-building course in 2012. She started working part-time as a field mobiliser in 2018 and now assists Huma in leading the advanced leadership course at Sadbhavana Trust. Naziya regularly intervenes in GBV cases in the community. She aspires to be a field trainer who can help women and girls break gender stereotypes in their lives.

Wareesha is from Baroura, Lucknow. She works as a social media content creator in SBT while also studying for a bachelor’s degree in commerce. She graduated from the job skill development course in 2021 and wants to find work in the technical field. The newest addition to the Lucknow Leaders group, Wareesha dreams of becoming a film editor.

Mariyam is from Radhagram, Lucknow. After finishing high school, she graduated from SBT’s ‘Naye Kaushal, Nayi Raahein’ course in 2021 and now works at the leadership centre where the same course is being run with a new batch of girls and women. She is also currently studying for her bachelor’s degree. After first struggling to step out of her conservative home, she has managed to successfully defer her marriage till she becomes financially independent. Mariyam aspires to establish a computer training institute for other girls like her.

Ruchika is from Delhi. With more than nine years of experience in accounting and finance management at NGOs, she joined SBT in 2021. With a degree in Chartered Accountancy and an understanding of income tax laws, she has the capacity to develop internal control measures, MIS for tracking and meet financial reporting requirements of donor agencies. She aspires to serve the social sector using her finance training.