The first ever

 Unhappy news are here again for women. Hence the following attempt to cheer us up. Yes, let us talk of the first ever Indian lady doctor and the first ever Indian lady lawyer. Truly path-breaking are their careers as they braved every possible difficulty those days that were absolutely anti-women in every possible way.

The first ever lady doctor from India is a Maharashtrian. Her name is Anandibai Joshi(1865-1887). Marvel of marvels, those days, all alone, she, a young chit of a girl, went to America for her medical education. Brilliant  and truly committed, she completed the course with flying colours.  Such, and so many, were the problems and difficulties in her path that she passed away before she could begin her medical practice.

It is hence argued that the first ever practising woman doctor from India is Rakhmabai Raut (1864-1955), yet again a Maharashtrian. Not only did she practice medicine in Colonial India, she was, moreover, the first one to legally challenge her childhood marriage, and become the first ever divorcee.

The first ever female legal practitioner was Cornelia Sorabjee (1866-1954). Highly accomplished and superbly brilliant, she completed a five year course in English literature in just one year.  In 1892, she completed her Bachelor in Civil Law, but as a woman was denied the permission to practise law. In 1897, to be registered as a lawyer, she completed her LLB from the Bombay University, but to no avail.

Those days, even the Oxford University did not honour women as students. It was as late as 1922 that woman lawyers were allowed the legal status of being a barrister in Oxford. Sorabjee was the first Indian woman to win this honour.

Born in mid-1860's, these woman braved many difficulties; they crossed many a barrier. Unshaken, however, was their resolve to forge a new path. Their remembrance hence continues to be a beacon of light in dark days.

Pratima@It was in 1924 that Sorabjee, who was settled abroad, returned to India to be formally recognised as a practising barrister. Hence this tribute to her in the centenary year of this unique event!