Dallas, Texas – April 11, 2016 – With the beautifully-lit Dallas skyline as the backdrop, more than 300 of Dallas’ crème-de-la-crème, from businessmen to financiers to fashionistas, packed the d.e.c. on Dragon in downtown Thursday evening and raised more than $85,000 for Mahila, an organization comprised of powerful female community leaders: attorney Bina Palnitkar Patel, architect Purva Jain, media guru Priya Bhola Rathod, cultural advocate Preeta Mongaand social entrepreneur Ami Doshi.

“This was our very first fundraiser, and I’m quite pleased at the turnout,” said founding member Monga. “Dallas is a very giving community, and we are thrilled that people in our city resonate with this international cause. I have to thank all of our incredible monetary & in-kind sponsors, the community and, of course, my fellow ‘Mahilas,’ without whom none of this would be possible.” 

All the proceeds raised will directly benefit struggling, low-income village women in India who have a dream of starting their own business through Milaap USA, the beneficiary of the fundraiser.  The non-profit strives to provide low-cost microloans to the working poor to empower them to live dignified, self-sufficient and healthy lives. Through microlending, women receive small business loans which are repaid over a period of time. Milaap USA advocates financial inclusion for individuals and families in the following sectors: enterprise development, clean energy, water and sanitation, education and vocational training and health care. Watch the Milaap video HERE!

“We are so humbled and honored that Mahila picked us as their charity of choice for their inaugural fundraiser,” said Paulomi “Polo” Patel, Executive Director of Milaap USA. “Our organization is driven to provide a ‘hand-up,’ versus a ‘hand-out,’  to the women we work with in India. We know if that if you mobilize ONE woman, you help mobilize her family, and, ultimately, her community; these rural women are leading the next generation out of poverty. It’s an investment worth making as global citizens.” 

To support the cause, ‘Real Housewives of Dallas’ star LeeAnne Locken and Satnam Singh, the first player from India to be drafted into the NBA by the Dallas Mavericks, also attended the event and walked the red carpet.

Mahila would like to thank its generous headlining sponsors:

• North Texas Preferred Health Partners
• Ericsson
• Pratiksha Jewelry
• Competitive Cameras
• CMC Commercial Reality Group
• Monitoring Concepts

For more information about Mahila, please visit www.mahiladallas.org,
and to find out more about Milaap’s work, please visit www.milaapusa.org.