Wellesley Resident Promotes Women's Achievements on TV

While many women might take living in the United States for granted, it is not true for Wellesley’s Rama K. Ramaswamy. That is why she believes in promoting women in her Wellesley cable access show, “Chatting it Up With Rama.”

Ramaswamy, 40, took on the show after the person hosting "Woman to Woman" moved to Switzerland. She changed the show and its focus to include a wide range of current topics while still highlighting the feats of women.

“I had this idea to mostly have women on the show and promote women and all the incredible things that women do these days.” Ramaswamy said. “I think there’s never enough woman to woman support, and I think it would be a much better place in the world if we all help each other.”

In the past, show guests have included Michelle Chalmers, author of "The Skin on My Chin," Katrin Monecke, an assistant professor of geosciences at Wellesley College, Jennifer Lucarelli, editor of Bay State Parent Magazine and more.

Born in South India, growing up in the Philippines and many other places, Ramaswamy saw first hand how men and women are treated differently. When she heard stories of women making progress in society, she was inspired to become a part of the movement in her own way.

“I grew up always hearing about the women’s movement in America. I know that other countries think Denmark had a very strong women’s movement, but for whatever reason it wasn’t as flamboyant as the American women’s movement,” Ramaswamy said. “I think it’s because in America there are so many ethnicities and cultures that come together and introduce work, literature and discussion that are broad standing. They span a multiplicity of topics, not just one culture. It was very sort of attention grabbing. Whichever place I lived in around the world, I was always sort of keeping an ear out for the interesting things that happened in the U.S. And so in the back of my mind, I sort of felt like at some point I’m going to move here.”

Ramaswamy first went to International School Manila in the Philippines and graduated in 1990. However, that thought in the back of her mind came to fruition when she moved to the United States for college. Ramaswamy earned her bachelor’s degrees from Ohio University, one in English language and literature, a second in geological sciences and a third in environmental and plant biology. She also has a master’s degree from The George Washington University in ecology and bioremediation of acid mine drainage.

“The biggest difference living in the U.S. is that women have the potential to do whatever they want in freedom,” she said. “You’re not as fearful. If you are willing to put in the work, there are few limitations for you fulfilling what you set out to do, whereas in other countries that is not the case.”

Ramaswamy is a geoscientist who worked at the geological survey. She was one of the founding members of the field of geomicrobiology. It was a very demanding job that involved a lot of traveling. Once she got married and had children, she decided she needed to settle down.

“At this point I’ve lived in so many places, but I’ve probably lived in Boston the longest. If there’s someplace that’s going to feel like home, it’s probably here.”

Obtaining her citizenship in 2009, Ramaswamy became involved with enhancing the science curriculum at Wellesley Public Schools. She also has her own published book of poetry, “Coming Full Circle.” The proceeds of this book go to breast cancer research.