Anandi Gopal Joshi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anandi Bai Joshi
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A portrait photo of Anandibai Joshi
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Yamuna Joshi
31 March 1865 Kalyan, Bombay Presidency, British India
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| Died | 26 February 1887 (aged 21) Pune, Bombay Presidency, British India
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| Resting place | Poughkeepsie, New York, United States (ashes) |
| Other names | Anandibai |
| Alma mater | Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania |
| Spouse(s) | Gopalrao Joshi |
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Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi (born March 31, 1865 – died February 26, 1887) was an amazing Indian woman. She was the first Indian female doctor to study Western medicine. She was also the first woman from India's Bombay Presidency to get a medical degree in the United States. People also called her Anandibai Joshi or Anandi Gopal Joshi.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Anandibai was born Yamuna Joshi in a Marathi family. When she was just nine years old, she married Gopalrao Joshi. He was a widower, about twenty years older than her. After they married, her husband renamed her 'Anandi'.
Gopalrao Joshi worked as a postal clerk. He was a very modern thinker for his time. He strongly believed that women should get an education. This was quite unusual back then.
When Anandibai was fourteen, she had a baby boy. Sadly, her child lived for only ten days. This was because there wasn't enough good medical care. This sad event changed Anandibai's life. It made her want to become a doctor to help others.
Her husband tried to enroll her in missionary schools. When that didn't work out, they moved to Calcutta. There, Anandibai learned to read and speak Sanskrit and English.
Dreaming of Medical School
Anandibai's husband really encouraged her to study medicine. In 1880, he wrote a letter to an American missionary named Royal Wilder. He asked about a good place in the US for his wife to study.
A woman named Theodicia Carpenter read this letter. She was very impressed by Anandibai's wish to study medicine. She also admired Gopalrao's support for his wife. Theodicia wrote to Anandibai, and they became close friends. They even called each other "aunt" and "niece." Theodicia later hosted Anandibai in America.
While the Joshis were in Kolkata, Anandibai's health started to get worse. She often felt weak, had headaches, and sometimes had trouble breathing. Even though Theodicia sent her medicines from America, they didn't help much.
In 1883, Gopalrao decided to send Anandibai to America by herself for her medical studies. This was a big step, especially because her health was not good. Gopalrao convinced her that she would be a great example for other women. He wanted her to show that women could get higher education.
A doctor couple suggested that Anandibai apply to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. This was one of the first medical schools for women.
Speaking Out for Women Doctors
When people in India heard about Anandibai's plan, some were very critical. They didn't think women should study abroad.
Anandibai decided to speak to the community at Serampore College Hall. She explained why she wanted to go to America and become a doctor. She talked about the difficulties she and her husband faced. She also stressed how much India needed female doctors. She explained that Hindu women would feel more comfortable being treated by Hindu female doctors.
Her speech became very famous. People from all over India started sending money to help her. This showed how many people supported her dream.
Studying in the United States
Anandibai traveled from Kolkata to New York by ship in June 1883. Theodicia Carpenter welcomed her there. Anandibai then applied to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. This was the second medical program for women in the world. The dean of the college, Rachel Bodley, accepted her.
Anandibai started her medical training at age 19. Life in America was tough for her. The cold weather and different food made her health worse. She got tuberculosis, a serious illness.
Despite being sick, she worked very hard. She graduated with her medical degree (MD) in March 1886. Her final paper was about "Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos." She used both ancient Indian medical texts and American medical books for her research. After she graduated, Queen Victoria even sent her a congratulatory message!
Return to India and Legacy
In late 1886, Anandibai returned to India. She received a huge welcome. The state of Kolhapur appointed her as the doctor in charge of the female ward at the Albert Edward Hospital.
Sadly, Anandibai died of tuberculosis on February 26, 1887, in Pune. She was not yet 22 years old. For years before her death, she felt tired and weak. Even though medicine was sent from America, it didn't help. Her death was a sad event for all of India. Her ashes were sent to Theodicia Carpenter in New York. The inscription on her memorial says she was the first Indian woman to study abroad and get a medical degree.
Even though she practiced medicine for only a short time, Anandibai became very famous. Her strong will and hard work inspired many others. She showed that Indian women could achieve great things in Western medicine.
Remembering Anandibai
Many people have honored Anandibai Joshi:
- In 1888, an American writer named Caroline Wells Healey Dall wrote a book about Anandibai's life.
- Doordarshan, an Indian TV channel, made a Hindi TV series about her called "Anandi Gopal."
- A Marathi novel and play, also called Anandi Gopal, tell her story.
- Dr. Anjali Kirtane wrote a Marathi book about Anandibai, including rare photos.
- The Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences gives an "Anandibai Joshi Award for Medicine."
- The Government of Maharashtra has a special fellowship in her name for young women studying women's health.
- A crater on the planet Venus is named 'Joshee' in her honor. It is 34.3 kilometers wide.
- On March 31, 2018, Google honored her with a Google Doodle for her 153rd birthday.
- A Marathi film called Anandi Gopal was released in 2019. It tells her life story.
- A Gujarati play about her, Dr. Anandibai Joshi, also premiered in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Anandi Gopal Joshi para niños
