SDI Board of Directors - SS Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa, President Sikh Dharma Stewardship
“Promise me one thing: Don’t worry.” – Siri Singh Sahib
A student of Yogi Bhajan’s from the early days, Gurukirn Kaur became an ordained minister of Sikh Dharma International in 1974. Her ministry took a unique form – combining her beautiful talents as a writer and painter, with her vision as a conscious spiritual woman.
Her focus in writing and painting has been two-fold: to give children an inspirational vision of the values and history of the Sikh tradition; and to help awaken Sikh women to their equal place in the Sikh community. She has published two children’s storybooks, Living with the Guru and The Sikh Tradition; as well as books of poetry, including Pure Longing Fulfilled.
In addition to painting and writing, Gurukirn has also been committed to securing equal rights for Sikh women – both in the United States and in India. In 1996, she was part of a group who sought to bring equality to Sikh women in being able to participate in the floor-washing ceremony at the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar, India.A loving wife and mother of three, Gurukirn Kaur also served as the President and Executive Director for Sikh Dharma of Phoenix from 1996-2004. For her dedication to the teachings and to her community, Gurukirn Kaur was given the title, “Woman of the Century” by the Siri Singh Sahib. She lectures about Sikh Dharma at colleges and community-forums in Phoenix, Arizona and around the world.
Community Involvement Highlights:
• Religious Service Award at the Arizona Interfaith’s Golden Rule Banquet in 2010
• Ambassador and presenter at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, 2009, in Melbourne, Australia
• Presenter and delegate, Parliament of the World’s Religions, Barcelona, Spain, 2004
• Chairwoman, International Khalsa Council: 2003-2005
• First Place, Arizona State Fair, Juried Art Exhibit, 2004
• Award of Achievement from Centennial Foundation, Toronto, Canada for artistic contributions to Sikhism in 2001
• Keynote speaker, International Symposium of Khalsa, Phoenix, AZ in 1999
Website: www.gurukirn.com.