Community Spotlight
In 2021, Deepika Prakash received the Commonwealth Heroine honor from the State of Massachusetts for her dedicated work in promoting equality and women’s rights. Deepika’s commitment to fostering a supportive community is evident through PatternReview.com, which has grown to over half a million members worldwide. Her articles in sewing magazines, podcast appearances, and co-authorship of “1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts & Tips,” with all royalties donated to charity, reflect her passion for sharing knowledge and making a positive impact.
Deepika has been integral in bringing about the proclamation of Diwali to be a holiday in the schools of Acton, Boxboro and Littleton. She worked with students from these schools and the School Committees to achieve this and it took 4 years – which segwayed into “DiwaliFest” – an outdoor local festival featuring our diverse culture and community – featuring student innovation and entrepreneurship, local small businesses and nonprofits along with sharing our art, music, dance, culture and cuisine . This year was the 3rd DiwaliFest which had 3000+ attendees. It is a free event supported by the local schools, town boards and Massachusetts Cultural Council.
There are two things she strongly believes in:
- We are a stronger community if we join in each other’s celebration, regardless of our cultural and religious background.
- If we truly believe in bringing about a positive change, we must empower and encourage youth leadership. And it is these two values which have been the vision behind Diwalifest.
Deepika is passionate about community, inclusivity and youth mentorship.
At DiwaliFest, volunteers encourage youth involvement and invite anyone and everyone to be a part of this celebration. They work tirelessly to find small businesses which will make this festival come alive, thus supporting local business while learning about new and fun things.
Deepika Prakash, founder of PatternReview.com, is a respected figure in the sewing community known for her expertise and contributions. Deepika is passionate about sustainability and educating people on adopting simple life skills to minimize their impact on the planet. This commitment to making a positive difference extends to her active involvement in community service in Acton and Boxborough over the past decade.
Throughout this period, she has spearheaded various programs aimed at bringing people together. Notable examples include organizing World Heritage Day at McT, supporting Girls on the Run through Danny’s Place, and contributing to the vibrant celebration of Diwali through DiwaliFest in Acton and Boxborough. In addition, she has volunteered her time across various local organizations and played a role in supporting the election of individuals in both town and school government.
She lives in Acton with her husband Gagan and daughter – Dia who is a rising 9th Grader at ABRHS.
Note about Deepika from IAGB President Tanu Phoenix:
IAGB salutes Deepika, for the progressive work that she has been doing over the years, aimed at bringing people together, propelling the spirits of building a stronger community regardless of cultural and religious backgrounds. Deepika’s community work and point of view match IAGB’s trajectory of working together towards building a stronger community, and IAGB surely hopes to collaborate with like-minded community leaders like Deepika in the best interest of the community!