Lakshmi says one of the actionable ways she supports other women's success is by donating to their political campaigns, which she reminded the audience can be done through Emily's List. But in her mind, mentoring women who could benefit from her own experience and guidance is of equal importance.
"On a micro level, I just made it a point to start mentoring young women in their 20s. I have three girls that I've been following for the last five or seven years," she said.
One, a candymaker, was asked to return to a TV show after a guest spot. Lakshmi says she told her to run a contract by her lawyers to make sure she was compensated appropriately. "When I was coming [up] in the TV world, or in food, I had no guidance. No help," Lakshmi said. "For 15 years, I was kind of flailing in the dark. My mother's a nurse and my stepfather's a plumber. I didn't know sh*t about this business. I know she's talented, and I wanted to give her the support that I didn't have."
