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Introduction[edit]

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first Indian female physician.[1] She was the first woman from the erstwhile Bombay presidency of India to study and graduate with a two-year degree in western medicine in the United States.[2]


Early life[edit]

Originally named Yamuna Joshi was born on 31 March 1865, raised and married in Kalyan, Maharashtra. She was married at the age of nine to Gopalrao Joshi a widower almost twenty years older than her.[3] After marriage Yamuna's husband renamed her 'Anandi'.[4]

Marriage life[edit]

Gopalrao Joshi worked as a postal clerk in Kalyan. Later, he was transferred to Alibag, and then, finally, to Kolkata (Calcutta). He was a progressive thinker, and, unusually for that time, supported education for women.[5]

Death of a baby[edit]

At the age of fourteen, Anandibai gave birth to a boy but the child lived only for ten days for lack of medical care. This proved to be a turning point in Anandi's life and inspired her to become a physician.[6]

Academic life[edit]

Her husband encouraged her to study medicine. In 1880 he sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary, stating his wife's interest in studying medicine in the United States and inquiring about a suitable post in the US for himself.[7] A physician couple named Thorborn suggested that Anandibai apply to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. [8]

Speech at Serampore College[edit]

Anandibai addressed the community at Serampore College Hall, explaining her decision to go to America and obtain a medical degree. Her speech received publicity, and financial contributions started pouring in from all over India.[9]

Travelling to US[edit]

Anandibai travelled to New York in June 1883, by a ship. She was received by Theodicia Carpenter. Anandibai wrote to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, asking to be admitted to their medical program, and she was enrolled.[10]


Medical training[edit]

Anandibai began her medical training at age 19. She graduated with an MD in March of 1886. On her graduation, Queen Victoria sent her a congratulatory message.[6][11]

Career[edit]

In late 1886, Anandibai returned to India, receiving a grand welcome. The princely state of Kolhapur appointed her as the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital.[12]

Death[edit]

While in US, her health worsened due to cold weather and unfamiliar diet, and she contracted tuberculosis while studying medicine. This worsened over time, and she eventually died of tuberculosis on 26 February 1887 before turning 22.[12]


Legacy[edit]

In 1888, American feminist writer Caroline Wells Healey Dall wrote Joshi's biography.[13]

Series by Doordarshan[edit]

Doordarshan, an Indian public service broadcaster aired a Hindi series based on her life, called "Anandi Gopal" and directed by Kamlakar Sarang. Shrikrishna Janardan Joshi wrote a fictionalised account of her life in his Marathi novel Anandi Gopal, which was adapted into a play of the same name.[14]


References[edit]

  1. ^ McNeill, Leila (August 24, 2017). "This 19th Century "Lady Doctor" Helped Usher Indian Women Into Medicine". Smithsonian.
  2. ^ Venkatraman, Vijaysree (July 27, 2014). "This woman in 1883 had the best answer to the question of why a girl would want to be a doctor". Qz.com.
  3. ^ "Who is Anandi Gopal Joshi?". The Indian Express. 2018-03-31. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  4. ^ "Anandibai Joshi". Streeshakti The Parallel Force. Streeshakti. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  5. ^ Rao, Mallika (2014-04-08). "Meet The Three Female Medical Students Who Destroyed Gender Norms A Century Ago". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-10-13.
  6. ^ a b Falcone, Alissa (2017-03-27). "Remembering the Pioneering Women From One of Drexel's Legacy Medical Colleges". DrexelNow. Retrieved 2017-10-13.
  7. ^ Naskar, Dipankar (2014). "Some Women of Inspiration: A Glance on Women Empowerment & Development in India". Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: D History, Archaeology & Anthropology. 14 (5): 51.
  8. ^ "Anandi Gopal Joshi: Google Doodle Celebrates India's First Female Doctor's 153rd Birthday". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  9. ^ "Anandi Gopal Joshi: Google Doodle Celebrates India's First Female Doctor's 153rd Birthday". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  10. ^ Scan of letter from Anandibai Joshi to Alfred Jones, 28 June 1883; DUCOM Archives
  11. ^ Desk, The Hindu Net (2018-03-31). "Google Doodle celebrates Anandi Gopal Joshi, India's first woman physician". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  12. ^ a b "Why is a Crater on Venus Named After India's Dr Anandibai Joshi?". The Quint. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  13. ^ The Life of Dr. Anandabai Joshee: A Kinswoman of the Pundita Ramabai, published by Roberts Brothers, Boston
  14. ^ "Who is Anandi Gopal Joshi to whom Google dedicated a Doodle?". India Today. Retrieved 2018-03-31.