About The Purple Wings
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Empowering women through financial literacy, community support, and educational excellence
Our Story: Born from COVID-19 Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world stood still and uncertainty gripped every household, Shalini Jha, President and Inspiration of The Purple Wings, recognized a critical need: women were facing unprecedented financial challenges, yet lacked accessible resources to navigate them.
"Every time I meet women from different backgrounds, I become more determined to help those who were not prepared for sudden changes in life. Financial literacy isn't just about money—it's about giving women the power to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence."
— Shalini Jha, President & Inspiration
From her home in Needham, Massachusetts, Shalini founded The Purple Wings as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a simple but powerful vision—to create a safe, welcoming space where women could build financial confidence and independence, free from judgment and full of practical support.
What started as community workshops in Needham has grown into a comprehensive online platform serving women across Massachusetts and beyond, offering everything from basic budgeting to advanced investment strategies—all designed specifically for women's unique financial journeys.
Our Mission & Values
We're committed to closing the financial literacy gap for women through education, mentorship, and community
Empowerment
Every woman deserves the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions
Community
Building a supportive network where women can learn, share, and grow together
Education
Providing accessible, practical financial education that makes a real difference
Impact
Creating lasting change in women's financial lives and their families' futures
Serving Greater Boston & Massachusetts
Based in Needham, Massachusetts, we're building a community of financially empowered women across the Greater Boston area
Our Location
Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, serving women across:
- • Greater Boston Area
- • Needham, Newton, Wellesley
- • Waltham, Cambridge, Brookline
- • All of Massachusetts
What We Offer
Free and affordable financial education including:
- • Banking & Money Management
- • Budgeting & Savings
- • Investing & Retirement
- • Insurance & Real Estate
Our Community
Join thousands of women in Massachusetts who are:
- • Taking control of their finances
- • Building confidence & knowledge
- • Connecting with other women
- • Creating financial security
Why Needham Chose The Purple Wings
The Purple Wings emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as Shalini Jha recognized a critical gap: women lacked access to practical financial education. What started as a personal mission to help friends and community members has grown into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Needham and Boston area.
Featured in the Needham Observer and covered by Boston 25 News, our work has earned local recognition for helping women overcome financial fear and build lasting wealth. Today, we're expanding our reach across Massachusetts to ensure every woman has the tools for financial success.
Meet Our Team
Dedicated professionals and community leaders working together to empower women
Shalini Jha
President & Inspiration
President and inspiration behind The Purple Wings. Featured in Needham Observer and Boston 25 News for her work empowering women. Based in Needham, MA, Shalini's personal journey and determination inspire thousands of women to take control of their financial futures.
Aditi Pranjape
Co-Founder & Community Connector
Co-founder and community connector who bridges gaps between women seeking financial knowledge and resources. A public health dietetic consultant, Aditi brings her passion for wellness to financial empowerment.
Bala
Community Supporter
Dedicated community supporter who has been instrumental in spreading awareness and helping women connect with The Purple Wings programs. A trusted friend and advocate for women's financial empowerment.
Sanjeev Jha
Technical Advisor & Contributor
Provides technical expertise and real estate investment knowledge. Instrumental in developing the platform's technology infrastructure and contributing educational content on property investment.
Our Dedicated Volunteers
Yulia
Volunteer Educator
Passionate volunteer dedicated to helping women understand complex financial concepts through clear, accessible teaching and mentorship.
Yashodhara
Volunteer Educator
Committed volunteer who shares her expertise and time to ensure every woman has access to quality financial education and support.
Media Coverage
The Purple Wings has been featured in local and regional media for our impact on women's financial literacy
Needham Observer Feature
"Program encourages women to spread financial literacy wings" - A comprehensive feature on how Shalini Jha and her co-founders started The Purple Wings to help women overcome financial fear and build confidence through education and community support.
Read Full Article →Published: February 14, 2024
Boston 25 News Coverage
"She had no clue how much money she had" - Boston 25 News featured The Purple Wings, highlighting our mission to empower women through financial literacy and the impact we're making in the Greater Boston community.
Television broadcast coverage
Our Supporters & Partners
Grateful for the organizations and institutions that believe in our mission
Namaste Boston Homes
Real Estate Partner
Supporting our mission through real estate expertise, homeownership education, and community outreach in the Greater Boston area.
Namaste Needham
Community Partner
Local community organization providing support and resources for women in the Needham area.
Needham Bank
Financial Partner
Supporting financial literacy initiatives and providing banking education resources for our community.
Needham Schools
Education Partner
Collaborating on educational programs and providing venues for community workshops and events.
ICON
Non-Profit Partner
Community-focused non-profit supporting our educational outreach and community engagement initiatives.
BJANE
Non-Profit Partner
Dedicated non-profit organization supporting women's empowerment and financial independence initiatives.
Namaste Needham Lab
Technical Partner
Providing comprehensive technical infrastructure, platform development, and technology support for our digital learning environment.
Our Impact
Together, we're creating measurable change in women's financial lives
Why We Focus on Women
Women face unique financial challenges: the gender pay gap, career interruptions for caregiving, longer lifespans requiring more retirement savings, and higher rates of financial abuse. Traditional financial education often overlooks these realities. We don't.
Our curriculum is designed specifically for women's financial journeys—from navigating divorce and financial abuse to planning for solo retirement, from negotiating salaries to starting businesses, from managing family finances to building generational wealth.
Join Our Community
Be part of a movement that's transforming how women think about and manage money. Your financial independence starts here.
Support Our Mission
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on donations to keep our financial education programs free and accessible to all women. Your contribution helps us reach more women and expand our impact.
The Purple Wings is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible.