To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live  at 1:00 pm ET on Monday, May 6th.

By Mahadev Desai

On Monday, May 6,as part of the White House’s observance of AAPI Heritage Month, it will honor Aparna Bhattacharyya of Atlanta as one of fifteen Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women who are “Champions of Change.”  This event will recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women who are doing extraordinary things to create a more equal, safe, and prosperous future for their communities and the country.Aparna will be one of two Indian-American women, who will be recognized at the event.
“These fifteen women represent the strength and diversity of the AAPI community.  These leaders – in business, advocacy, philanthropy, sports, the arts, and academia – are wonderful examples for young women across the country,” said Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
“As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May, we pay tribute to the many AAPI women – from Bernice Pauahi Bishop to Congresswoman Patsy Mink to Sunita Pandya Williams – who have shaped the story of America,” added Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
 The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. 
Aparna Bhattacharyya was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She has served as Executive Director of Raksha since 1998.
Aparna graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She volunteered and worked as a Victim Advocate for 5 years for the city of Atlanta's Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) where she developed the multi-cultural components of the 1996 Olympic Crisis Response Team.
She was one of the many victim advocates who responded to the Olympic Bombing. In 1996,
She worked as a Project coordinator/Employment Specialist for the Newcomers' Network's Refugee Family Violence Prevention Project (where she developed and implemented the License to Freedom Project to help battered refugee women find jobs and obtain driver’s licenses).
From 1995-1998, Aparna volunteered and served as a steering committee member of Raksha Inc before becoming an employee. As a representative of Raksha, she has served as founding Task Force member and Board Secretary for International Women's House(the first shelter in the Southeast for battered immigrant and refugee women and their children and a founding member of Tapestri, the Immigrant and Refugee Coalition challenging gender based oppression.
She has served as a member of the Georgia Advisory Committee for the U.S Commission on Civil Rights, board Vice President for Tapestri, Inc, an Advisory Board member for the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women, Advisory Board Member for Georgia State's School of Social Work, Board Member of the Dekalb County Domestic Violence Task Force in 2006- 2012 (Board Chair from 2010-2011), and the Cross Keys Foundation Vice President in 2011-2012.
She was awarded with the Indian Professionals Network (IPN) award in 1997 and 1998 for her service to the community, the Director's Eagle Award from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in 2006, the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Gender Justice Award in 2008 and the Dekalb County Domestic Violence Task Force’s Deborah C. McDorman Award in 2008.
Aparna is an alumni of Leadership Atlanta's Class of 2010, and a 2009 recipient of the Center for Pan Asian Community Service's Asian Women's Leadership Development Grant.
Aparna was recently recognized by the Indian American Cultural Association for Excellent and Continued Contribution to the Community. Aparna was recognized by the Indian American Cultural Association for Excellent and Continued Contribution to the Community in 2010.  Aparna is currently on the Board of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project and is the Board Chair of VIDA Legal Assistance.
Aparna is married to Paul. Both live in Atlanta. She continues to advocate for access and justice for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence and trains community members, law enforcement, attorneys, and law enforcement both locally and nationally. Aparna strongly urges the Atlanta community to support Raksha Inc. through volunteering but more so financially so it can perfrom its services better.
Shalini Patel(Raksha Board Secretary ) and Meena Dev-Sidhu (Raksha Board Co-President) lauds Aparna for her dedication and selfless service,” "Aparna has devoted her life to supporting the South Asian community. Through Raksha she has helped countless men, women and children in their hope for a safer, more stable future, and despite the challenges she has faced, Aparna has worked tirelessly to ensure that Raksha keeps its doors open and continues to provide the invaluable services the South Asian community needs. She is positive, cheerful and a true ray of sunshine, and we admire her for her spirit and ability to uplift people at times when they are most in need. Aparna is the reason why Raksha has done an extraordinary job in educating and supporting our South Asian community.  There are so many people who stand with and encourage Raksha simply because of Aparna’s unwavering commitment to the organization.  The Champions of Change award acknowledges all of Aparna’s personal sacrifices, hard work and efforts on behalf of those who need Raksha’s services.  It is truly deserved, and we hope the award inspires others to get involved and help Raksha with its mission."