BINITA PRADHAN • San Francisco, California

Binita is a business owner and a single mother to her 4-year-old son, Ayush. After escaping an abusive relationship, Benita depended on various women’s shelters before moving into an apartment of her own. She has received enormous assistance from La Cocina, a San Francisco-based restaurant incubator for women, which helped her start Bini’s Kitchen, a catering company. Binita works 18-hour days to keep the business afloat and depends on her sister for child care and support.

Although Bini’s Kitchen is still in its infancy, Binita feels optimistic about her and Ayush’s future. “I am blessed by God, who has given me two hands full of skills, and the knowledge and faith to stand straight up and fight back,” she said.