Trailblazing by transit: A new UCLA podcast on India’s women auto drivers

From an early age, Mohana Sundari of Chennai, India, refused to be limited by conventional gender roles. Her upbringing helped lay the foundation for this outlook. Growing up, her mother handled the family finances while her father was her primary caregiver. Mohana rode bicycles and climbed mango trees alongside the local boys.

Her assertive spirit was a precursor of leadership to come. Mohana (who does not use her surname, following a local cultural convention) is one of a small but growing group of women in India who drive auto rickshaws, trailblazing in a notoriously male-dominated industry. Even in India, many are unaware that women auto drivers exist. "Autoqueen Trilogy," the latest miniseries by the UCLA Labor Center's Re:Work podcast, documents Mohana's life story.

Out of 100,000 auto rickshaws in Chennai, only 400 are driven by women. Mohana shares her journey to becoming a driver and navigating countless hurdles to secure stability in her profession: ride-sharing apps that limit her profit opportunities, concerns about driving safety, restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and lack of access to auto stands reserved for male drivers. Over time, she found other women drivers, with whom she formed a tight-knit support network. Many are single mothers or primary breadwinners like Sundari.

"People are shocked to learn there are so many of us, and I have been in this profession for years without realizing how many women have been driving autos," Mohana said. "Female auto drivers deserve respect. It is essential that everyone understands we are in this for our livelihood."

The first episode details Mohana's family and childhood, while the second and third trace her journey into adulthood - through marriage, motherhood, financial struggle, personal loss and, eventually, organizing. Mohana went on to become president of Veera Pengal Munnetra Sangam (VPMS), a union dedicated to empowering women in non-traditional sectors and the first cooperative to be registered within the state of Tamil Nadu's transportation sector.

"Mohana's story is more than one person's journey. It is a voice of an entire community," said Mohan Munusamy, legal advisor to VPMS and Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE), a nonprofit organizing women workers in Chennai's informal sector that played an instrumental role in the formation of VPMS. "When you listen to her, you are listening to the hope, struggle and resilience of countless women."

To produce the trilogy, Re:Work partnered with VPMS and ECTE. A women-led podcast produced by the UCLA Labor Center's new media narrative strategist Veena Hampapur and center director Saba Waheed, Re:Work has spent over a decade elevating stories of work and activism to humanize and break down economic and racial justice issues and challenge problematic dominant narratives. The miniseries showcases Re:Work's immersive style, pairing an intimate curated interview with rich, multilayered sound design.

Building on the success of its women auto drivers' movement, VPMS is expanding its work to support women across other informal and gig economy sectors, creating pathways for long-term social and economic empowerment. Mohana believes that if women from various fields come together, their collective voice can make a powerful difference.

The advocacy of Mohana and her peers has led to the creation of women-only pickup spots at metro stations and legal protections through the union. In 2024, Sundari and her colleagues took first place at Coop 2024, a pitch competition promoting cooperative entrepreneurship, winning a cash prize and a yearlong mentorship.

Mohana continues to focus on hosting skills-building workshops on topics such as financial literacy, and supporting women in her union who are looking to find work or secure a loan.

"I didn't study. That's OK. After that, I tried to do a lot of business, but I couldn't do that either," she said. "But if I can provide a livelihood for many women through this union, I believe that will fulfill everything."

In 2025, Mohana won the Kamla Bhasin Award, which recognizes individuals in South Asia for their contributions to gender justice and equity.

The Autoqueen Trilogy is available on the Re:Work website and major podcast platforms.