Anandi Gopal Joshi

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Anandibai joshi

Anandi Gopal Joshi (31 March 1865 – 26 February 1887) was one of the first Indian female doctors of Western medicine. She is also believed to be the first Hindu woman to set foot on American soil. Her journey from a child bride in a small village in Maharashtra, India, to becoming a physician in the United States, is a remarkable story of courage, perseverance, and the quest for education against all odds.

Early Life

Anandi was born in Kalyan, Maharashtra, in a conservative Hindu family. At the tender age of nine, she was married to Gopalrao Joshi, a widower twenty years her senior. Gopalrao, a progressive thinker for his time, encouraged Anandi's education in a period when education for girls was not considered important. The death of their firstborn due to lack of medical care was a turning point for Anandi, who decided to pursue medicine to prevent such tragedies.

Education

Gopalrao's job as a postal clerk took them to Calcutta (now Kolkata), where Anandi began her formal education. Despite facing societal backlash, the couple persisted. Gopalrao eventually wrote to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary, seeking assistance for Anandi's education in the United States. Moved by her determination, Wilder published her story in a missionary magazine, which led to Theodocia Carpenter, a resident of Roselle, New Jersey, becoming her sponsor.

In 1883, Anandi traveled to the United States, where she enrolled at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (now part of Drexel University College of Medicine). She faced numerous challenges, including cold weather and unfamiliar food, but remained undeterred. Her thesis on "Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos" showcased her determination to bridge her cultural heritage with her medical education.

Return to India

In 1886, Anandi returned to India, receiving a hero's welcome. She was appointed as the physician-in-charge of the female ward at Albert Edward Hospital in Kolhapur. However, her health had deteriorated due to tuberculosis, and despite her best efforts, she passed away on 26 February 1887, at the young age of 21.

Legacy

Anandi Gopal Joshi's life and achievements have left a lasting legacy. She paved the way for women in India and abroad to pursue careers in medicine, breaking societal norms and overcoming numerous obstacles. Her story is a testament to the power of determination and the importance of education for women.

See Also

• Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania
• Women in medicine
• History of Indian women