15 Indian Women who were Pioneer in their fields

For a woman, there is a growing misconception since the ages that women are weak and powerless. They are indeed better stay at home. Hail to this! It is not so at all. Women possess a very unique power within themselves – the Sankalpa-Shakti which is the power of will and determination. A woman possesses the unique and beautiful combination of both the power of the intellect and also the strength of inner will and emotions. There’s no doubt that our country India needs more women like Avani, Kiran Bedi, Bachendri Pal, Geeta Phogat and many others who can make us all proud.

Let me take you through the history where a lot has been unveiled and a lot need to be unveil! The History of Indian Women is full of pioneers, who have broken the glass ceiling in their fields and have achieved milestone. They fought against the gender barriers and worked hard for their rights. Let me tell you the names which were considered the ‘First’ times when Indian Women achieved their success.

Here is the list of few first women of India who has become an inspiration to many today-

India’s First Woman President – Pratibha Patil

Our first woman president, Pratibha Patil, served as the 12th president of India between 2007 and 2012. Born on December 19, 1934 in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, She started her career as a lawyer, before moving on to a successful political career. She was dubbed as the most merciful president in 30 years since 1981.

India’s First Woman Prime Minister – Indira Gandhi

The Only Indian Woman sworn in as India’s first woman Prime Minister was Indira Gandhi. Born in 1917, Indira was a renowned politician, known for centralization of Power and political ruthlessness. Referred as the ‘first woman in a man’s world’, She was also called as the ‘Iron Lady’ of India.

India’s First Woman Astronaut – Kalpana Chawla

It is said that Kalpana Chawla chose her own name at nursery school as her parents were yet to choose a formal name for her. With such inspiration, Kalpana studied Aeronautics and in 1997, she became the first Indian woman Astronaut to fly in space. On her first mission, Kalpana travelled over 10.4 million miles in 252 orbits of the earth, logging more than 372 hours in space.

India’s First Woman Fighter Pilot – Avani Chaturvedi

Born in 1993, Avani Chaturvedi has become the first Indian women flying officer to flight a fighter jet MiG-21 Bason. Her aspiration is to become a good fighter pilot and to fly the best aircraft. She was inspired by Army officers in her family to join Indian Air Force.

India’s First Woman Governor of India – Sarojini Naidu

The very first woman governor of an Indian state was Sarojini Naidu. Born in year 1879, she was a freedom fighter and poet. She was called the ‘Nightingale of India’ or Bharatiya Kokila because her poems are rich in imagery and emotions. Also, She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress.

India’s First Woman Judge of Supreme Court – M Fathima Beevi

‘M Fathima Beevi’ is the first Indian woman judge of the Supreme Court of India. Born in 1927, She became the first woman to top the Bar Council of India’s exam in 1950. She rose from an advocate in Kerala’s lower judiciary to becoming the munsif in the Kerala Subordinate Judicial Services and a judge of the Kerala High Court in 1983.

India’s First Woman IAS Officer – Anna Rajam Malhotra

In an age when most of the women did not even try getting into civil service, Anna Rajam Malhotra fought gender bias to become India’s first woman IAS officer in 1951. Born in 1927, Anna Rajam Malhotra was a hard-working and stubbornly honest lady, her life has inspired many others to take up the challenges and setting examples.

India’s First Woman IPS Officer – Kiran Bedi

Born in 1949, Kiran Bedi is the first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS). In 2003 Bedi became the first woman and the first Indian to be appointed United Nations civilian police adviser. She also has worked as a Lecturer of Political Science at Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar. She was awarded the United Nations Medal for her work in Peace Keeping operations of United Nations.

India’s First Woman Advocate – Cornelia Sorabji

Born in 1866, Cornelia Sorabji was the first Indian woman graduate in law from Bombay university. She was also the first Indian national to attend a British University and to practice law in India and England. Her parents were the biggest supporter in achieving her dream. On November 15, 2017, Sorabji was honored in Google Doodle.

India’s First Woman Bus Driver – M Vasanthakumari

Since she was not having a degree to apply for a job, she made her passion her mode of living. And then only, Asia got its first woman bus driver, M Vasanthakumari, an Indian woman. She has become an inspiration to many lives now breaking the stereotype in this Man dominating world. 57-year-old Vasanthakumari joined service in 1933.