Pioneering Indian Female Educationists Who Changed the Landscape of Learning

As it is rightly said “You teach a man; you educate a man. You teach a woman; you educate a generation.” We live in a country that has been the cradle of human civilization. From yoga to chess, and Ayurveda to astronomy and astrology, ancient India has always been the learning hub of the world. 

Numerous individuals have made significant contributions to India's rich history of education. Women particularly have played significant roles in shattering stereotypes and opening doors for later generations when it comes to learning and knowledge. In this blog, let us explore the lives and accomplishments of a few trailblazing Indian women educators, who have profoundly impacted the country's educational scene.

6 Indian Female Educationists Who Changed The Way We Learn

A woman is the embodiment of maternal energy and when they integrate this energy into teaching and education, pupils are enthralled with their kind demeanour. This list of 6 Indian female educationists is a tale about trailblazer women who changed the way we learn.

#1 Savitribai Phule - The Social Reformer from Maharashtra 

Savitribai Phule, from Satara District, Maharashtra (the Bombay Presidency) was a social reformer and played a significant role in girls’ education in the 19th Century. She along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule opened the first school for girls in India in 1848 at Bhide Wada in Pune. 

Born into a lower-caste family, Savitri Bai Phule defied societal norms and pursued education, becoming one of the first Indian women to receive formal schooling. Her commitment to learning and giving education to girls was deeply rooted in the prevalent social injustice and inequality in society at that time. 

Her Bhide Wala school was one of the first schools in India to accept female students from any caste or religion. When women were denied access to education, Phule's commitment to educating marginalized communities was a revolutionary step. Between 1848 and 1852 this revolutionary husband-wife duo opened several schools and night schools in and around Pune. 

#2 Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati - Indian Social Reformer & Educationist from Mangalore

Pandita Ramabai, a well-known Indian social reformer and educationist, was instrumental in advancing women's education in 19th-century India. Born and raised in a Brahmin household in Mangalore, (the then Madras Presidency) Rama Dongre, disregarded social norms and became one of the first Indian women to learn Sanskrit and English. She was the first woman to be awarded the prestigious titles of Pandita and Sarasvati by The University of Calcutta in early 1880s. 

Ramabai founded the Arya Mahila Samaj in 1882, a group devoted to women's empowerment and education. Arya Mahila Samaj, was a residential school for girls, providing them with a comprehensive education that included academics, vocational training, and religious instruction. The increase in women's literacy in India can be attributed in large part to Ramabai's efforts.

In 1889, she also established Mukti Mission, a refuge and educational institution for widows and other impoverished women.

#3 Sarala Ray - Founder of Girls’ College for Higher Education in Calcutta 

Sarala Roy, an Indian educator, feminist, and social activist was the first woman to join the University Senate and one of the first female graduates from Calcutta University. In addition to founding multiple women's educational charities and a school for girls, she was also a founding member and later the president of the All India Women's Conference. 

In 1914 she founded the Indian Women's Education Society which helped women receive funding for higher education in the United Kingdom. Along with Gopalkrishna Gokhale, Sarala Ray founded Gokhale Memorial Girls’ School in 1920 in Calcutta which included an innovative curriculum. All girls were encouraged to learn three languages - Hindi, Bengali and English as part of their curriculum. Later Mrs. Sarala Ray founded Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College in 1938 for higher education. 

#4 Anasuya Sarabhai - The Pioneer in Vocational Training for Women

Born in the prestigious industrialist Sarabhai family of Ahmedabad, Anasuya Sarabhai has been a revered figure in the Indian Labour Movement. In an effort to educate the girls who worked in the mills, she founded Kanyagruha in 1927. Earlier in 1920 she had also founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (Majdoor Mahajan Sangh), the oldest textile workers' union in India.

Sarabhai devoted her life to enhancing the lives of women and children because she was a strong believer in social causes. She founded a number of educational establishments, such as the Gujarat Vidyapeeth, a university that prioritized teaching in Gujarati. 

#5 A. V. Rukmini Devi -  A Visionary in Dance and Education

She established the Kalakshetra Foundation, a well-known centre for dance, arts and education. She also underlined the value of a holistic education that integrates academics and the arts.

#6 Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain  - A Champion of Muslim Women's Education

Begum Rokeya Hussain was a prominent Muslim educationist and social reformer. She founded one of the first Muslim women's schools in Bengal, the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School in 1911. Rokeya Hussain used her writings and activism to promote women's rights to education during the pre-independence era. 

Takeaway

These are but a handful of the numerous trailblazing Indian women educators who have significantly impacted the country's educational system. Generations of women have been motivated to follow their dreams and overcome obstacles by their commitment, bravery, and vision. At Huts and Looms we salute these brave women who shattered the glass ceilings at times when women’s rights and their right to education were frail