Pavane Gorrepati is a strong believer in empowering and educating women. And while most people reading this are lucky enough to frequent Chipotle on a regular basis, many young women don’t have that luxury. Pavane knows that closing the gender gap would lead to less malnutrition and hunger worldwide—so she founded a non-profit organization, Feeding Inspiration. Through Feeding Inspiration, she is motivating young girls and working to bring an end to hunger.
Pavane also started a similar organization on campus at Yale University, where she is now a senior. This organization, Feeding the Future, focuses on highlighting issues of food insecurity around the globe in order to educate students about the problem. Pavane’s successful local, national and international education efforts were so incredible that she was recognized by President Barack Obama at the White House! We are so impressed by this collegiette’s outstanding efforts to promote such an important cause not just on her own campus, but around the world.
Name: Pavane Gorrepati
Age: 21
College: Yale University
Major: History of Science, Medicine and Public Health
Graduation Year: 2016
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa
Twitter Handle: @pavanegorrepati
Instagram Handle: @pavanegorrepati
Her Campus: What are you working on right now?
Pavane Gorrepati: Recognizing that persistent gender inequalities in low-income nations is the single most important determinant of food insecurity and that closing the gender gap would equal ~100 million fewer people living in hunger, Feeding Inspiration is currently working to highlight this issue nationally and abroad by creating a dialogue that encourages gender equality in the agriculture sector, especially in low-income nations. We are working with middle and high school students nationally and internationally, currently in India, Tanzania, and soon Peru, to expand our work encouraging girls to play a role in ending hunger and addressing one of the biggest problems of our generation – food insecurity. As part of this initiative, we created an illustrative book entitled Girls Can! Do Anything. to be part of our non-profit work and inspire young girls about the limitless possibilities they have in the world.
HC: Why did you found Feeding Inspiration?
PG: In a world where we live with plenty, millions go to bed hungry each and every night. The simple luxury of having food on a daily basis is something that many, too often, take for granted. I founded Feeding Inspiration because I recognized a substantial lack of knowledge among my generation when it came to issues of food insecurity. A lack of access to food especially at an early age can lead to reduced physical and mental development, affecting school performance and leading to lower income as an adult. A lack of food has profound and long-term devastating effects on the future of an individual and the economic well being of that nation.
HC: What is something people should know about your cause?
PG: I believe people should know the facts and the reality of the dilemma that I am trying to alleviate: The UN estimates that 60% of the undernourished globally are women or girls and according to the FAO, closing the gender gap in access to agricultural resources could lead to 100 million fewer people living in hunger. Women’s empowerment can be used as a tool against malnutrition and hunger.
HC: What advice do you have for other ambitious collegiettes with a goal/dream?
PG: For anyone out there with a dream, I would say the single most important thing to achieve that dream is hard work – there is absolutely no replacement. All the goals that I have been able to accomplish came from many sleepless nights and an unwavering dedication to achieve my goals.
HC: What is your favorite inspirational quote?
PG:“We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.” – J.K. Rowling
HC: Where can others learn more about Feeding Inspiration?
PG: Others can learn more about our organization at our website.
