‘Proud Brown Girl’ Uma Ram: A Story of Resilience

Uma Ram’s friends ridiculed her for her dark complexion and discouraged her from pursuing her passion, but she transformed every setback into a stepping stone. Today, she’s the face behind the empowering ‘Proud Brown Girl’ Instagram page and podcast. Through her platform, Uma promotes inclusivity, encourages women to embrace their uniqueness, and challenges long-standing taboos. Her journey is a powerful narrative of self-love, sustainability, and courage.

Unkind Judgments and Never-Ending Dreams

Born into a Tamil-speaking family in Pondicherry, Uma Ram grew up without giving much thought to her skin tone until college. Things changed drastically when she began facing constant taunts from classmates. Songs mocking her complexion and hurtful nicknames chipped away at her self-esteem.

Feeling isolated, Uma sought comfort at home, but her family encouraged her to stay and tackle her struggles head-on. In her efforts to fit in, she turned to skin-brightening creams and home remedies, but they did little to help. Acne problems only worsened her worries, leading to further self-comparison with her ‘fairer’ relatives, who seemingly fit Eurocentric beauty ideals.

Battling Career Expectations

Coming from a family filled with doctors and engineers, Uma felt even more out of place when she expressed her unconventional dream – becoming a fashion blogger. Known for her excellent sense of dressing, Uma wanted to turn this skill into a career. Unfortunately, her parents dismissed it as an impractical choice.

Determined, Uma created a social media page 2017 to document her fashion journey. However, she had to deactivate it when her family discovered her posts. Concerned about her safety online, they asked her to stop. But Uma’s passion was unshakable, and in 2019, she revived her Instagram page, naming it ‘Proud Brown Girl.’

Empowering Others Through ‘Proud Brown Girl’

With her page, Uma not only shared her fashion content but also opened up about her struggles with self-acceptance. Her honesty resonated with followers, many of whom had faced similar challenges. Over time, her online community grew as women from different backgrounds shared their stories.

This collective of shared experiences increased Uma’s reach and gave her platform a new purpose – promoting inclusivity and challenging beauty standards. She encouraged open conversations on important topics and inspired her audience to embrace individuality.

In 2022, Uma Ram received her first major recognition at the Ace Influencer Business Awards. This award, presented in collaboration with 20SKN and Hair & Skin Factory, honoured her impactful contributions through content creation and digital influence, celebrating her journey of inspiring and empowering others.

Podcast for Positive Change

Taking her mission further, Uma launched The Proud Brown Girl Podcast. This platform features inspiring discussions on breaking taboos and raising awareness about crucial issues. From eco-friendly wedding invitations to menstrual hygiene, Uma’s podcast is a safe space where difficult topics are addressed openly.

Standing Strong in the Face of Marriage Pressures

Like many Indian families, Uma’s relatives were concerned about her marriage when she reached 28. However, the ‘bride-viewing’ process often left her disheartened. Some families judged her skin tone, while others questioned her desire to create content and work after marriage. To her surprise, her family stood by her side and rejected matches that didn’t align with her values.

Uma later began talking to a prospective groom who shared her interest in blogging. But when he informed his mother about Uma’s fashion page, her family once again misunderstood her intentions, reigniting their doubts about her career. Despite facing constant criticism and taunts from relatives who called her a ‘rebel,’ Uma held her ground.

“I will not change who I am and how I look. I want people to accept me for this. I am proud of myself and my achievements,” Uma said confidently.

Sustainable Wedding and Minimal Waste Efforts

Recently, Uma got married, and true to her principles, she opted for a minimal-waste wedding. She collaborated with Connect to Bhoomi to make this possible. Uma had always dreamed of having an eco-friendly wedding, and despite some challenges, she managed to minimise waste in every way possible.

Uma ensured that over one ton of waste was properly managed by segregating wet and dry waste, converting biodegradable material into manure, and feeding extra food to cows. Even leftover water was given to the plants. Sharing her social media experience, Uma proudly said, “I have wanted to have a sustainable wedding since childhood. I couldn’t avoid plastics completely, but I’m happy I tried to be a small change.”

Also Read: Reshma Kadvath: A Life Dedicated to Creation and Upcycling!

Beauty, Choices and Impact

Through her content, podcast, and sustainable choices, Uma shows that embracing one’s identity and standing firm against stereotypes can lead to meaningful change, not just for oneself but for the community at large.