coolchicksfromhistory:Anandi Gopal Joshi (1865-1887)Art by Mariel Black (website, blog)At age nine, 

coolchicksfromhistory:Anandi Gopal Joshi (1865-1887)Art by Mariel Black (website, blog)At age nine, Anandi married a widower and 14 she gave birth to her first and only child.  The child died after ten days and it was this loss that propelled Anandi towards a career in medicine as she felt the child might have lived with proper medical care.  Anandi’s husband Gopalrao was a strong supporter of women’s education and in 1880 he began seeking a place for his wife to study medicine in the US.  Hoping to raise funds for her education, Anandi gave a public speech at Serampore College in 1883, saying “In my humble opinion there is a growing need for Hindu lady doctors in India, and I volunteer to qualify myself for one.”  Although she did not explicitly ask for funds, Anandi received donations after her speech that helped finance her trip abroad.  Anandi began her studies at the Woman’s Medical College of Philadelphia in 1883.  She graduated in 1886, becoming the first Indian female physician.  Before her graduation, she was offered and accepted a position as “Lady Doctor of Kolhapur” at a regional hospital.  Anandi returned to India in 1886, but was too ill to begin her practice as a “Lady Doctor.”  She died on February 26, 1887, a month before her 22nd birthday. -- source link

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