About Shakti Girls

Shakti Girls was created with a simple belief: young people should grow up discovering inspiring stories that reflect the richness of the world around them.

What began as a book celebrating groundbreaking women from India is growing into something more — a creative brand dedicated to bringing meaningful stories, perspectives, and possibilities into the lives of young people.

Our Story

Shakti means strength or power in Sanskrit.

That idea is at the heart of everything we create.

Shakti Girls began with a desire to fill a gap on bookshelves and in classrooms: the stories of remarkable South Asian women whose achievements have too often been missing from the books young people encounter.

The first Shakti Girls introduced readers to 13 trailblazing women from India through lively, rhyming biographies. Shakti Girls 2 continues that journey with another collection of women whose courage, creativity, determination, and accomplishments deserve to be known.

But the stories don't have to end when the book closes.

More Than Books

Shakti Girls is growing into a collection of books and resources designed to help young people explore remarkable lives and the ideas behind them.

For educators, that means resources that can bring new stories and perspectives into the classroom.

For families, it means opportunities to spark meaningful conversations at home.

And for young people, it means discovering people who can expand their understanding of what's possible.

Because when children encounter a wider world of stories, they don't just learn more about others. They begin to see themselves — and one another — with greater curiosity, confidence, and connection.

Meet the Founder

Shakti Girls was founded by Shetal Shah, a former girls' school educator, curriculum designer, and communications professional who has spent much of her career thinking about the stories young people encounter — and the ones they don't.

While teaching world history in all-girls schools, Shetal saw firsthand how thoughtfully expanding curriculum and literature could shape students' sense of identity, belonging, and possibility. She also developed and led educator workshops and presented nationally on pedagogy, curriculum, and diversity and inclusion.

That experience inspired her to create Shakti Girls, her debut children's book, and ultimately to build Shakti Girls into something larger: a place where storytelling, learning, and representation come together.

Shetal lives in Atlanta with her family.

The Story Is Just Beginning

Shakti Girls is continuing to grow — with new books, educator resources, family activities, and other creative ways for young people to discover stories of strength.

More stories. More voices. More ways to inspire the next generation.