Dr. Anandibai Joshi as the first Hindu-Brahmin woman to earn an M.D. degree.

Anandibai Joshi was the first woman of Indian origin to complete her graduate studies with a degree in Western medicine from he Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) in the United States.  

Though she died very young, at the age of 21, she left behind a rich body of work. A crater on Venus is, therefore, marked by her name.

On 31 March 1865 Anandibai was born in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family in Kalyan and was named Yamuna (renamed Anandi by her husband). She was married at a tender age of 9 to Gopal Vinayak Joshi, who was 20 years older than her.He was ambitious and supportive and encouraged Anandibai to study English and Sanskrit. 

At 14 years of age, she lost her newborn to lack of expert medical care, as the only doctor available in their locality was a male and a Christian. She realised the dearth of qualified native doctors. This proved the turning point in Anandi’s life. Encouraged by her husband, she determined to become a physician.She returned to India after completing her studies on 11th March 1886. But ill fate struck and she succumbed to Tuberculosis on 26 February 1887 without having a chance to serve her country.

She is fondly remembered till date for her courage and dedication.