PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE BELL / HAIR & MAKEUP BY ASHLEY BROOK PERRYMAN
nikki Interview Date: May 3, 2021
With a family name that denotes strength and humility, NIKKI HALEY discovered early on how to push through her fears and find comfort in being the only woman standing. Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, she experienced racism firsthand as the only Indian family in rural South Carolina in the ‘70s. Her mother used this opportunity to imbue in Nikki a lesson that forever guided her in life: if you can focus on your similarities rather than differences, then you can open minds to enact real change. This lesson, coupled with an unwavering passion to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, swiftly carried Nikki to the political stage. In 2004, she became the first Indian-American to hold office in South Carolina, and in 2010, she became the first woman to serve as governor in the state, as well as the youngest governor in the country. Following her governorship, she was selected in 2017 to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. No matter the role, Nikki is always fulfilling her purpose by making a difference for the people, the state, and the country she serves.
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l’automne 2021 • readelysian.com •
