#memory
Anandi Gopal Joshi
31 March is the birth anniversary of India’s first lady doctor, Anandi Gopal Joshi (1865-1887).
She secured a degree in medicine at the age of 21, from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as Drexel University College of Medicine.
Anandi was born in an orthodox family in present day Maharashtra, and was married to a widower thrice her age when she was just nine. Five years later, she gave birth to a boy, but the child soon died due to lack of medical care. Her loss encouraged her to study medicine and make a difference in her own country.
Anandi’s husband, Gopalrao Joshi, inspired her to educate herself, at a time when education to women was not given due importance. He started teaching Anandi how to read and write Marathi, English, and Sanskrit.
He sent her to Calcutta so that she could pursue further studies without interference from her parents.
Despite the pressure from family and society, she went to America to pursue a degree in Medicine. She fulfilled her husband’s strenuous effort and graduated from Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMC) in 1886 along with Kei Okami of Japan, and Tabat Islambooly of Syria. All three became the first women from their respective countries to obtain a degree in Western medicine.
Anandi did her thesis on obstetric practices among the ancient Hindus.
She came back to India in 1886 with the dream of opening a medical college for women. She got a grand welcome and the princely state of Kolhapur appointed her as physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital. However, she passed away at a young age of just 22 years due to tuberculosis.
“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.”
– Lokmanya Tilak.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
