A headstone at a cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York, reads: Anandibai Joshi MD (1865-1887): FirstIndian Woman to Leave India for an Education.
A Google Doodle to mark her 153rd birth anniversary; a Doordarshan Hindi serial based on her life, and healthcare fellowships for women awarded by the Maharashtra government in her name — these are only a few honours that reflect the legacy of Anandi Gopal Joshi.
She is considered by most to be the first Indian woman to secure a degree in Western medicine.
Born in 1865 to an orthodox Marathi Hindu family of landlords in Kalyan of Thane district, a nine-year-old Anandi, then Yamuna, was married off to a widower by the name of Gopalrao Joshi. Despite being older than Anandi by almost 20 years, it was his progressive thinking that played a landmark role in her becoming one of the earliest pioneers of the country’s healthcare sector. Appropriate medical care was a rarity in pre-independent India, and the couple were further entwined in the grief of losing their 10-day-old infant son when Anandi was merely 14 years old.
In 1883, Gopalrao was transferred to Serampore, West Bengal, after having served as a postal clerk in the Maharashtrian towns of Kalyan, Alibaug and Kolhapur. Soon after, Anandi headed to the States and wrote a moving admissions application to the Superintendent of the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the world’s first women’s medical college and eventually, her alma mater.
Before Anandi boarded the ship from Calcutta to New York the same year she had also addressed a public gathering at the Serampore College Hall justifying her decision to pursue an overseas education in medicine.
In both these instances, Anandi detailed the multitude of reasons that set off her medical journey, and the stigma both she and her husband had been subjected to, as a direct result of this decision. So, what did she say?
‘I volunteer to qualify myself a Hindu lady doctor.’
In 19th century India, women looking to pursue a career in medicine were expected to work as midwives. Even as a doctoral course was available in Chennai, its male instructors were conservative and the idea of women students was frowned upon. The subsequent and utter lack of female doctors in the country further limited the reach of crucial healthcare to its women, who felt uncomfortable being assessed by male professionals.
Back in 1880, Gopalrao had also sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a prominent American missionary, requesting aid in securing admission for Anandi, in addition to an employment opportunity for himself. Wilder wrote back and said he could oblige on the fulfilment of one condition — the Joshis would have to convert to Christianity. The Brahmin couple were vehemently against this preposition, though they were aware of the benefits of doing so even within India.
“A convert who wears an English dress is not much stared at. Native Christian ladies are free from the opposition and public scandal which Hindu ladies like me have to meet within and without the zenana,” Anandi said, referring to the segregated spaces for women in Hindu and Muslim households during the olden days.
News of her impending departure to the States in 1883 had spread, but the couple was subjected to harassment from all communities alike. Crossing the sea to reach a distant, foreign land was considered a sin in orthodox ‘upper-caste’ Hindu circles. People made unsolicited remarks, threw stones and cow dung at the couple’s residence, and even made a ruckus at the post office where Gopalrao worked. But their aspirations were set in stone.
“I go to America because I wish to study medicine,” an 18-year-old Anandi declared to her audience at the Serampore College Hall. “Ladies, both European and Native, are naturally averse to exposing themselves in cases of emergency to treatment by doctors of the other sex. In my humble opinion, there is a growing need for Hindu lady doctors in India, and I volunteer to qualify myself for one.”
She further pledged that she would not convert to Christianity and vocalised her ambition of opening an Indian medical college for women, on her subsequent return to the country.
Anandi’s speech, whose audience also included the American Consul General, was widely publicised and financial aid to support her noble endeavour poured in from across the country. Notably, Marquess of Ripon, then Viceroy of India, also contributed Rs 200 to the sum.
Journey of Sheer Determination
While Wilder couldn’t help Anandi secure admission to an American medical college, he had their correspondence published in Missionary Review, Princeton University’s periodical. This eventually caught the eye of one Theodicia Carpenter, and the New Jersey-based woman wrote to Anandi in 1880, expressing a desire to support her in her educational journey in whichever way possible.
Their mutual affection for three years lead to Theodicia eventually receiving Anandi when she landed in New York. Theodicia even offered her a home to the woman who left everything she’d known to embark on a meaningful, but uncertain journey.
In an application to the Superintendent of the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, Anandi wrote, “(The) determination which has brought me to your country against the combined opposition of my friends and caste ought to go a long way towards helping me to carry out the purpose for which I came, i.e. to render to my poor suffering countrywomen the true medical aid they so sadly need and which they would rather die than accept at the hands of a male physician (sic).”
“The voice of humanity is with me and I must not fail. My soul is moved to help the many who cannot help themselves,” she added, stating her credentials of having studied English, arithmetic and history, and speaking seven languages.
Moved by the hardships that Anandi had overcome to reach this stage, Rachel Bodley, the dean of the college, enrolled her and offered her a scholarship of $600 every month for the duration of the programme. Three years later, it was Anandi’s sheer determination and perseverance that led her to complete an MD degree, with a thesis on the “Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos”.
Anandi graduated with Kei Okami and Tabat Islambooly, and all three became the first women to attain a degree in Western medicine in India, Japan and Syria, respectively.
In her graduation ceremony on 11 March 1886, Anandi received a standing ovation, with the president of the college saying, “I am proud to say that today should be recorded in golden letters in the annals of this college. We have the first Indian woman who is honouring this college by acquiring a degree in medicine. [She] has the honour to be the very first woman doctor of India.”
She also received a congratulatory message from Queen Victoria, who was informed of the former’s accomplishment by the college dean. On her return to India, Anandi, then 21, was appointed as the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the Albert Edward Hospital by the princely state of Kolhapur.
Even independence activist Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who had founded Marathi daily Kesari, couldn’t help but reach out to her. “I know how in the face of all the difficulties you went to a foreign country and acquired knowledge with such diligence. You are one of the greatest women of our modern era,” he wrote in his letter.
In a massive loss to the country, however, Anandi could not open the women’s medical college she’d envisioned, or put her hard-earned knowledge to practice for too long. On February 26, 1887, she succumbed to tuberculosis when she was only 22 years old. A grief-stricken Theodicia requested Gopalrao to dispatch Anandi’s ashes, which were eventually buried in her family cemetery at Poughkeepsie.
Anandi’s remarkable life may have met an abruptly ironic end, but it offers a glimpse into the depravity of societal expectations since time immemorial. More importantly, how one can, and must, overcome these to pursue an ambition for both personal fulfilment and the larger good of the community. Suffice to say, it lingers on as an inspiration for the generations to come.
Source: ( /www.thebetterindia.com/268323/india-first-female-doctor-anandi-gopal-joshi-rare-letter-history/ )
Dr. Archana Sharma: The Pioneering Indian Botanist
Archana Sharma was a pioneer in the study of the structure of chromosomes, for which she developed new staining and pre-treatment techniques. Her contribution is not to be downplayed as these techniques were widely applicable and used by scientists worldwide.
The gender ratio in STEM and related fields can be disheartening. In times like these, it would do us well to shift our gaze to the women making strides in male-dominated fields. We might not have as many female role models as we would like, but they do exist and Archana Sharma is an exemplar. A botanist, cytogeneticist, cell biologist and cytotoxicologist, Archana Sharma is nothing less than inspiring.
Early Life & Education
Archana Sharma was born in Pune on 16 June, 1932. She grew up in a family of academicians – both her father and grandfather were professors. She completed her early education in Rajasthan and her BSc in Bikaner, but her education did not stop there. She went on to secure her MSc (1951) and PhD (1955) from the Department of Botany in University of Calcutta. The University is the second oldest in the country, and in 1960, Sharma was only the second woman to receive a PhD from there. She specialised in Cytogenetics, Human Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis.
Career & Research
Soon after, Sharma kickstarted her professional career at the University of Calcutta in 1967. In 1972, she became a Professor of Genetics in the Centre of the Advanced Studies in Cell and Chromosome Research. She went on to succeed Prof. A.K. Sharma as the Head of the Department of Botany for two years, starting in 1981.
Archana Sharma was a pioneer in the study of the structure of chromosomes, for which she developed new staining and pre-treatment techniques. Her contribution is not to be downplayed as these techniques were widely applicable and used by scientists worldwide. Along with her husband, A.K. Sharma, she released a book called Chromosome Techniques: Theory and Practice, based on their dedicated research and investigation. The book is a standard reference book in the field and her name is synonymous with plant chromosome investigations.
Another important contribution that arose from Sharma’s laboratory was the new concept of speciation in vegetatively reproductive plants, which was published in the journal Nature – one of the world’s most cited and respected academic journals. In a short span, Sharma had made a name for herself and earned a stellar reputation in the field.
As her career advanced, Sharma’s curiosity and inclination to learn led her to developing wider research interests. She conducted extensive work in the field of human genetics. Along with her group, she also made significant contributions on the effect of arsenic on water. Additionally, she studied the effect of plant products in modifying the cytotoxicity of known pollutants. Her wide-ranging interests prompted Sharma to seek and discover novelties all throughout her career.
Contributions
In the course of her long and commendable career, Sharma published between 300 and 400 research papers and about 10 books. She was notably the founder of Nucleus, a journal of cytology and related topics, and remained its editor until 2007. Her name is attached to publishers such as CRC Press and Oxford, for whom she edited multiple works.
Archana Sharma’s commitment and dedication to her work is indubitable. Her passion for her work showed in her efforts to take her work outside the laboratory too. She participated in and contributed to various high-level professional societies and governmental agencies. She was a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and the Indian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, India. She was the President of the Indian Botanical Society, and then of the Biological Section at the National Academy of Sciences. Sharma was also president of the Indian Science Congress Association from 1986 to 1987, among other positions at both national and international levels.
Archana Sharma did substantial work with the Science and Engineering Research Council of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Environmental Research Council of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India; the Panel for co-operation with UNESCO, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India; various technical committees of University Grants Commission, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and other bodies. Her sincerity and great motivation were always at the forefront as Sharma made immense contributions even at the policy and implementation level.
Awards and Accolades
Her contributions did not go unrecognized – Sharma received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 1984. She was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, J. C. Bose Award, Eminent Teacher Award, FICCI Award, Birbal Sahni Medal, G. P. Chatterjee Award, Women Scientist Award, among other accolades. Not only was she recognised and applauded on formal platforms, but her colleagues and students had much praise and affection for the botanist. After her death, the Alumni Association of the postgraduate Department of Botany at the University of Calcutta issued a special publication in her honour, where colleagues and students penned down their memories of ‘Archana Di’, as she was fondly called.
Archana Sharma’s lifelong career in the sciences reminds us that the field, although dominated by men, need not remain so for long. Women like her have, and continue to make contributions that greatly impact and advance the scientific field. Sharma’s work continues to be of utmost importance not only in her field, but also as a reminder of what women everywhere can achieve even in male-dominated spaces.
Source: ( www. feminisminindia.com/2018/07/30/dr-archana-sharma-pioneering-botanist/)
Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy
From being the first woman medical graduate of India to becoming the first woman member of a Legislative Council, Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
From being the first woman medical graduate of India to becoming the first woman member of a Legislative Council, Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
In the midst of the bustling neighbourhood of Adyar in Chennai, a white building stands out prominently: The Cancer Institute. Over the years, the multi-storeyed building has become a symbol of hope for the hundreds who make their way to it, bodies ravaged by disease but spirits buoyed by optimism. The institute has saved thousands of lives since its inception in 1954; lives and families that would otherwise have been destroyed were it not for the efforts of Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy.
Muthulakshmi was born in a day and age where the phrase ‘women must be seen and not heard,’ was often bandied about and used as an excuse to subvert the true potential of women. Not one to allow society to dictate her life choices, Muthulakshmi set out to write her own destiny, in the process breaking many barriers in the field of medicine, legislation and politics. Not only did this trailblazer do exceedingly well for herself in every endeavour she undertook, she also paved the way for the generations of women who came after her.
At the young age of 13, Muthulakshmi’s keen mind and quick ability to grasp things made her a roaring success at school. Upon reaching maturity, she continued her education through home-schooling.
Muthulakshmi passed her matriculation examination with flying colours. Her excellent performance was the talk of town, especially since it translated into her qualifying for college admission. Muthulakshmi, who had always dreamed of becoming a graduate, confidently submitted her application for admission to the stunned principal and professors of Maharaja College, Pudukottai.
Her simple dream of pursuing her education was met with stunned silence that steadily grew into alarmed outrage by conservative sections of society. Bowing to social pressures, the college refused to admit her despite her impressive academic record. It was only when Martanda Bhairava Thondaman, the forward-thinking Raja of Pudukkottai stepped in and ordered them to take-in Muthulakshmi, that the college grudgingly accepted her application.
For Muthulakshmi, this was only the beginning. After completing her under-graduation from her hometown, she sought – and successfully gained – admission into the Madras Medical College. It was during her college years that Muthulakshmi formed a deep friendship with Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant, two individuals whose personal philosophies would go on to influence many of her future endeavours.
With impressive single-minded focus, Muthulakshmi won the unique distinction of becoming the first woman medical graduate of India in 1912. She also went on to become the first woman House Surgeon in the Government Maternity and Ophthalmic Hospital, Madras.
Muthulakshmi was pursuing her higher education in London when, upon a request from the Women’s Indian Association – an organisation she helped establish in 1918, she returned home to enter the Madras Legislative Council. She was elected to the post of Vice-President, making her the first Indian woman member of a Legislative Council.
The event also marked her entry into politics and legislation, an area in which her efforts led to a marked improvement in the lives of women everywhere. In her capacity as a legislator, Muthulakshmi helped raise the minimum age for marriage for girls. Concerned about human trafficking, she pushed the Council to pass the crucial Immoral Traffic Control Act.
Being the daughter of a devadasi herself, she was also distinctly aware of the treatment meted out to women like her mother. Their lack of political agency and the prejudices that coloured their every interaction with all members of society disturbed her. This pushed her to pass the path-breaking law on abolishment of the devadasi system; the reverberations of this legislation can be felt across generations even today.
She is believed to have remarked, “Laws and legislation are there only for sanction. It is up to us women to energize these and implement them into action.”
Muthulakshmi realised that despite the devadasi system being abolished, there were still deeply-ingrained prejudices that many women freed from the shackles of this toxic system had to fight every day. This fact became more evident when, in 1930, three young devadasi girls knocked on her door, seeking shelter and protection.
When existing shelters failed to take in the girls, Muthulakshmi set out to create a safe haven for them and countless young girls like them: Avvai Home. Initially, the home was run out her own residence in Adyar.
Today, the home has grown to include an educational complex that houses a primary school, a secondary school, a higher secondary school as well as a teachers’ training Institution. While the home was started primarily for devadasis, its doors are open to all women who need assistance today.
Having witnessed the painful and untimely death of her sister due to cancer, Muthulakshmi had also been toying with the idea of opening up a specialised cancer hospital. She dreamt of a place where anyone suffering from cancer would receive treatment, irrespective of social and economic status.
In 1954, after overcoming several hurdles, Muthulakshmi’s dream came to life with the Cancer Institute. It was the second specialised cancer centre in India and the first in South India at the time.
Today, the Adyar Cancer Institute, as it is sometimes called, boasts of a 450-bed hospital, a full-fledged research division, a Preventive Oncology department, and the Dr Muthulakshmi College of Oncologic Sciences. The patients and families who have benefitted from this institute are numerous, and ever increasing.
In 1956, in recognition of her wonderful work in the social sector, Muthulakshmi was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
Muthulakshmi passed away in 1968 at the age of 81. Although she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on: in every devadasi who has won her freedom, in every girl who stands up against child marriage, in every woman who becomes a doctor, and in every individual whose life was transformed by the Avvai Home and the Cancer Institute.
Source: ( ww.thebetterindia.com/57201/dr-muthulakshmi-reddy-cancer-institute/ )
Dr. Janaki Ammal, PhD
Born in 1897, Dr. Janaki Ammal was India’s first female botanist and was the first Indian woman to receive a doctorate degree in botany in the U.S. In 1913, literacy among women in India was less than one percent. She came to the U.S. in 1924 and researched plant cytology at the University of Michigan, the breeding of hybrids from different plant species. She used her expertise to develop sugarcane crops suited to India’s climate. She moved to England to work at the John Innes Institute where she co-authored the Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants. At the Royal Horticultural Society, she studied how to rapidly grow larger plants using colchicine. A magnolia variety and a hybrid rose were named after her. Following a series of famines, she returned to India at the request of the Prime Minister to use her knowledge to help increase food production. However, disagreed with the deforestation taking place in an effort to grow more food. She became an advocate for the preservation of native plants and successfully saved the Silent Valley from a hydroelectric project. It is now a national park.
Source: ( https://awis.org/historical-women/dr-janaki-ammal/ )