Remembering India's First Female Doctor: Dr Anandibai Joshi

Born in 1865 in Maharashtra, Anandibai was the sixth of ten children. Her parents were supportive of her education, which was rare for girls during that time. At just 9 years old, she was married to Gopalrao Joshi, who encouraged her educational journey despite societal constraints.

At the age of 14, Anandibai gave birth to a son who died after 10 days due to lack of medical care. This tragedy inspired her to become a physician, to ensure other women wouldn't face the same fate.

Determined to study medicine, Anandibai faced societal opposition. In 1883, she delivered a powerful speech expressing the need for female doctors in India and her resolve to study medicine abroad. With her husband's support, she started her journey toward the U.S.

Anandibai became the first Indian woman to travel to the United States for medical studies. She enrolled at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania and graduated with an MD degree in 1886. Her thesis, "Obstetrics Among Aryan Hindus," combined Indian traditions with modern medical science.

Anandibai's accomplishments were celebrated across India. She received a congratulatory letter from Queen Victoria and was appointed as the physician-in-charge of the Edward Albert Memorial Hospital in Kolhapur upon returning.

Despite her triumphs, Anandibai's health deteriorated, and she succumbed to tuberculosis at just 22 years old in 1887. Her untimely death left a legacy that would inspire generations of women in India and beyond.