12 Pioneering Ladies Who Led The Way

Remembering the women of India who broke the glass ceiling...

Pic: Kind courtesy FilmIndia magazine/Wikimedia Commons

1st Indian Woman Doctor: Anandi Gopal Joshi. Graduated: 1886.

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1st Indian Actress: Durgabai Kamath. 1st Film: Mohini Bhasmasur, 1913.

Pic: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

1st Woman Army Officer: Major Priya Jhingan, 1st lady officer to join the Indian Army in a non-medical role.

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1st Woman Congress President: Annie Besant, 1917.

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1st Indian Lady Congress President: Sarojini Naidu, 1925.

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1st Indian Woman Airline Pilot: Sarla Thakral, in 1936.

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1st Indian Woman To Swim English Channel: Arati Saha, 1959.

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1st Indian Woman To Win Arjuna Award: Stephie D'Souza, Olympian; track and field, hockey, 1963.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

1st Indian Woman To Win Miss World Title: Reita Faria in 1966.

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

1st Indian Woman To Win Gold At Asian Games: Sprinter Kamaljeet Sandhu in 1970.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

1st Lady To Be Awarded The Bharat Ratna: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971.

Pic: Kind courtesy Warren K. Leffler/Wikimedia Commons

1st Lady To Receive The Jnanpith Award: Bengali novelist Ashapoorna Devi in 1976.

Pic: Kind courtesy Shubha/Wikimedia Commons
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