Anandi Gopal Joshi’s 153rd Birth Anniversary: 7 Things To Know About India’s First Female Doctor

Born in 1865 to an extremely orthodox Brahmin family in Kalyan, Maharashtra, a 9-year-old girl got married to a widower who was almost twenty years her senior. And the girl later on became the first Indian women to qualify as a doctor. Yes, we are talking about Anandi Gopal Joshi, India’s first lady to qualify as a doctor from the United States of America in 1886. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi who was born on March 31, 1865 was India’s first female doctor and it is her 153rd birth anniversary. She is also the first woman to step in the USA, opening gates to many young women who wanted to do much more than limiting her life to household chores only. And there are a lot more things that not many know about the physician.

Back in the 19th century, visiting a lady doctor in a hospital was nothing less than a miracle. Due to family’s pressure Anandi was married to Gopalrao Joshi who was a postal clerk and a widower. On the occasion of Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi’s birth anniversary here are seven things that you should know about her:

1. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was born as Yamuna

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was known as Yamuna and her family at that age has been landlords in Kalyan of the Thane district of Maharashtra but lost their economic wealth. As per the orthodox practice at that time, Yamuna was married only at the age of nine to a widower. It was after her marriage that her husband Gopalrao renamed her as Anandi.

2. Anandibai’s Child Died Due To Insufficient Medical Resouces

At the age of fourteen, Anandi gave birth to a baby boy but sadly he only lived for ten days due to lack of medical care. The medical resources that was necessary for the child’s treatment was unavailable at that time. But this situation proved to be a turning point in Anandibai’s life and inspired her to become a physician.

3. Anandi’s Husband Supported Her to Pursue a Career in Medicine

Anandi’s husband Gopalrao Joshi is one such person who stood by his wife’s side and acted as her biggest inspiration and push. Gopalrao, a postal clerk was determined to educate his wife when she expressed her wish to study medicine at the age of 14. Gopalrao started teaching Anandi how to read and write in Marathi, English and Sanskrit. He also transferred himself to Calcutta to avoid direct interference from Anandi’s parents in her education.

4. Towards Her Medical Career

In 1880 he sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary stating Anandibai’s interest in studying medicine in the United States and inquiring about a suitable post in the US for himself. Wilder published the correspondence in his Princeton’s Missionary Review. Theodicia Carpenter, a resident of Roselle, New Jersey, happened to read it while waiting to see her dentist. Anandibai’s desire to study medicine and Gopalrao’s support for his wife impressed her and she wrote to them offering Anandibai accommodation in America. Theodesia would also send her medicines from America while Anandi was suffering from ill health. A physician couple named Thornborn suggested that Anandi should apply to the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.

5. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi Became the First Indian Woman to Step in USA

Anandibai travelled to New York from Calcutta by ship, accompanied by two female English acquaintances of the Thornborn family. In New York, Theodicia Carpenter received her in June 1883. It was the first time that any woman from India stepped in the United States. Anandibai wrote to the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, asking to be admitted to their medical program. Rachel Bodley, the then dean of the college enrolled her. She joined the college at the age of 19 and was graduated with MD (Doctor of Medicine) on March 11, 1886. Queen Victoria had also sent her congratulatory message on her graduation.

6. Anandibai Was Appointed As the Physician-in-charge

In late 1886, Anandibai returned to India, receiving a grand welcome. The princely state of Kolhapur (now in Mumbai) appointed her the physician-in-charge of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital.

7. Anandibai Died At the Early Age of 21

Amidst the achievement, Anandibai’s health significantly declined due to cold and unfamiliar weather and diet. She died on tuberculosis early the next year on February 26, 1887 before turning 22. Her death was mourned throughout India.

At a time when a woman’s position was not even considered in the society and their education was unthinkable, Anandi took a bold step to fight and fulfill her dream to become a doctor. Although she could not convert her degree into a successful profession but surely left a mark in the country, contributed to a much better and bolder India opening gates for all of us who aspire to achieve a career in medicine.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 31, 2018 11:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).