FREMONT: Indian-American Women Empowered (IWE) held its International Women's Month and Award Ceremony on March 16 at the Golden Peacock in Fremont, California. March is National (and International) Women's Month when women's achievements and contributions are honored and celebrated by women throughout the US (and the world).

March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD), tracing its roots back to the first such day in 1911 in Copenhagen.Based in Northern California, Indian-American Women Empowered is a forum and support network for women of South Asian origin.

It is a wing of FIA (Federation of Indian Associations) whose Chief Executive Director is Anima Desai. According to their website, "Its mission is to facilitate the overall growth and to pursue, inspire and propel women towards personal, social, political, economical and professional sphere of power through fun, action, dialogue and learning."

It honors and recognizes women who made a significant and positive difference and whose outstanding achievements and contributions have enriched others lives.Awardees included Indu Navar, Co-founder and CEO of Serus and Neerja Raman currently Senior Fellow at Stanford University, developing business and leadership models for social entrepreneurs, and former Director, Strategic Planning and Imaging Systems Lab, Hewlett Packard Labs. The Awards ceremony was followed by dinner, a raffle and live music by Vikas Singh and Group.