Sundari Gurung, a formidable force in social mobilization and activism, has dedicated her life to community welfare, both in her native Nepal and as an active member of the Nepali diaspora in the United States. Born and raised in the small town of Chhinamakhu, Bhojpur in the eastern part of Nepal, Sundari is the youngest daughter with four brothers and three sisters of Late Nara Bahadur Gurung and Ganesh Kumari Gurung. After being honorably discharged from the British Army for injury in the Second World War, her father served as the head of the Chhinamakhu Village Development Committee (VDC) (now called Temke Maiyu VDC) and president of the local school committee. His efforts on social projects for the community such as improving road construction, agriculture production, drinking water, and childhood education left a strong impression on young Sundari.
Sundari’s family includes her husband, Shamvu Gurung, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Nepal Army, two sons, many brothers and sisters, and her parents-in-law. Together Sundari and Shamvu create a strong foundation of support, care, resilience, and commitment to service for each other and others. One son is currently in medical school and planning to become a doctor. The other son has already ventured into the professional world, contributing his skills and talents to the workforce. She has strong additional support from her siblings, like her older brother who encourages her to continue to be socially engaged in important issues.
Sundari’s academic journey began in Chhinamakhu, Bhojpur where she achieved the rare feat of being the only member of her class to receive a School Leaving Certificate (SLC), filling her heart with pride. She continued her education in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Education and a Master in Sociology.
Professionally, Sundari has many accolades showcasing her desire to make a social impact and combining it with her enterprising spirit. She served as a Women’s Development Officer for the government of Nepal for 13 years. During her tenure as a WDO, she would spearhead the formation of more than 500 women’s organizations, cooperatives, and savings credit unions across five districts. In addition to her work, she volunteered during her personal time to help create local organizations. She established and became the founding president of Nari Sahayog Bachat Sahakari Sastha (Women Help Saving and Credit Cooperative Ltd), a cooperative limited dedicated to the socio-economic upliftment of deprived women in her community. When she married and moved to a different neighborhood, she found similar inequities for local women. Thus, she founded Hate Malo Women Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd, further emphasizing her commitment to improving the daily lives of underprivileged women around her. She would leave behind a legacy of empowerment that still resonates today.
In 2006, Sundari and her family traveled eight thousand miles to the United States of America. Despite facing new challenges and difficulties, her determination to chase the American Dream never waned. Settling in New Hampshire, she continued her passion for social justice through both her professional and personal work. Professionally, she works as a home care provider through The Moore Center Services for individuals with intellectual disability in foster care. Outside of work, she continues to engage in social and cultural organizations to work for the community. Notable positions include being the President of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (FIPNA) NH chapter, founder, and coordinator of the NH Didi Bahini (sisters) Group, and Vice President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) NH chapter in 2019, New Hampshire Nepali Society, New Hampshire Nepali Literature Society, Everest Centennial Lions Club, and other organizations.
In 2021, Sundari achieved a significant milestone when she was elected as the Women Coordinator for NRNA NCC USA, a position she held for two impactful years. Her leadership was instrumental in achieving a 40% increase in women’s participation in NRNA NCC and NRNA chapter organizations. At a policy level, she successfully advocated to change the By-Laws to make sure that at least 33% of any elected executive committee need to be women. Additionally, Sundari spearheaded initiatives such as working with the US Census Bureau to increase the participation of Nepali Americans in the census, leading non-partisan voting awareness campaigns for the Nepali American community, and advocating for women’s empowerment through hosting a national conference for International Women’s Day.
On a personal level, Sundari, through her family foundation SASA has made many personal charitable donations to important Nepali organizations, individuals, and movements around the globe. To give back to rural Nepal, Sundari created her project, Connect Nepal. Through this program, she has started providing scholarship awards for school-age girls in rural Nepal to encourage education for girls. Additionally, she is piloting a sanitary product distribution and reproductive health program for middle and high school-aged girls soon to help reduce dropout rates and increase female student graduations.
Sundari Gurung stands as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that dedication, compassion, and leadership can create lasting positive change in communities both near and far. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of community engagement and the indomitable spirit of an advocate for the welfare of others.