ANANDIBAI JOSHI
India’s first woman doctor (1865 – 1887)

Anandibai Joshi, is not the name of some social reformer or political leader but, of a lady who despite of all odds achieved her goal, through her grit and determination. Anadibai Joshi had the unique distinction of being the first woman ever to go to aboard and obtain a degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Women’s Medical College Pennslyvania, USA, as early as, 1886.

She was born on March 31,1865 at Pune. At the age of nine, she was married to Gopalrao joshi. Gopalrao, a widower, employed in Indian Postal Services was a firm supporter of female education and social reform. He married her seeking a promise from her father that he wouldn’t object him from giving education to Anandi after marriage. Anandibai, at a very immature age of 12 gave birth to a son who lived only for 10 days. The death of her child was a turning point in her life as she intensely felt that her child died of poor medical care. So, she decided to become a doctor and it is to the credit of her husband who did his utmost to help her realizing her dream. To get her educated, Rao managed to get posting in different parts of the country but finally realized that his wife can never become doctor in India. Therefore he sought help from a Christian missionary, and admitted Anandi in Women’s College of Pennsylvania, US, with the recommendation of Ms.Theodicia E Carpenter. Anandi studied hard and by her conduct and academic progress she won the affection of Prof.Bodley, the Dean of the college, members of the faculty and the fellow students. Anadibai Joshi successfully completed her doctrine and was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Medicine on March 11, 1886.

Her husband and her friends advised her to settle down in US, but she wanted to serve her own people. She wrote to her friend,"I know the culture and practices of India, therefore, I will be of great help to the Indian women". The princely state of Kolhapur, appointed her the Physician-in-charge of the female ward of the Albert Edward Hospital, even before she returned to India. On October 9,1886,she sailed from New York to practice as India’s first woman doctor. Unfortunately, the terrible hardships that she had to undergo to complete her studies against overwhelming odds, took a heavy toll of her health. She suffered from tuberculosis of lung. Gopal Rao despite of his efforts could not save her life .

She died at the young age of 22, in Pune on February 26,1887, she not only contributed to the cause of female higher education but also towards India’s progress and modernity as well.