UMA MISHRA is a global social justice and women's human rights leader and the former Executive Director of Women's March Global. Her transparent, visionary yet grounded leadership was instrumental in furthering the mobilization and assembly of women globally around women's rights issues with Women's March Global. Uma has organized and built coalitions around the issues of women's human rights defenders, freedom of association and assembly, bodily autonomy, and white supremacy. As a leader in the global women's rights movement Uma has been interviewed by CNN, Jane Dutton, Newsweek, and Devex, and her writing has been published by Ms. Magazine, TIME, and IPS. Uma is the initiator and facilitator of The Racial Equity Index. Uma has a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Cedar Crest College.

Uma helped to bring Loujain AlHathloul's story to the United Nations and was instrumental in coordinating Lina AlHathloul's first statement in support of Loujain at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Uma and Lina are co-authors of the acclaimed children's picture book, Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers (Astra Books For Young Readers, 2022). Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers is Winner of Middle East Outreach Council (MEOC) Best Picture Book 2022 and Bookstagang Best Picture Book Biography 2022. The book is supported by FollettLearning.com and included in the Follett Titlewave campaign.

The illustrations by Rebecca Green were selected for the 2022 Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibition, the prestigious showcase for the year's best children's book illustration.

In Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers a courageous girl follows her dream of learning to fly in this gorgeously illustrated story inspired by imprisoned human rights activist Loujain AlHathloul, perfect for Malala's Magic Pencil fans. Inspired by co-author Lina al-Hathloul's sister, formerly imprisoned Saudi women's rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain al-Hathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving. See the book trailer created by SALT, a 4-time Emmy Award winning production company, and revealed in partnership with @theconsiouskid

REVIEWS:

"One of the 20 Best Books To Read in March: "Poetic, moving, and empowering." Kirkus Reviews

"Successfully makes a real-life issue accessible for the youngest audiences." Publishers Weekly

"One of the Best Children's Books of 2022 (So Far). With dreamy illustrations, this is a story to read before bed to inspire dreams of courage and to read during the day to remind us not to give up." Tinybeans

"Heroic and emotional text … striking illustrations…. This gorgeously illustrated book inspires hope and reminds readers always to fight for justice." Shelf Awareness for Readers

"This heart-filling and beautifully presented story will entice our children, parents, and teachers alike to support and empower our future change-makers where it is needed in the world around us." Yasmine Aslam-Hashmi, We Need Diverse Books

Uma's website

Twitter: @umajmishra

Instagram: @umamishranewbery