Priyanka Tiwari
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International Women's Day 2025: International Women's Day 2025 commemorates the remarkable accomplishments of women globally. In India, ultra progressive women like Savitribai Phule worked towards girl’s education and became the first female teacher in India in 1848. Asima Chatterjee, a renowned Indian chemist, became the first Indian woman to earn a doctorate of science from an Indian University.
Indira Gandhi, the first female prime minister of India, Kiran Bedi, the first female IPS officer of India, shattered glass ceilings and proved that women can excel in all disciplines.
The campaign For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment and Accelerate Action focuses on women and girls everywhere and reminds us to appreciate and empower women.
12 Inspiring Women Leaders in Education
Here are some of the most inspirational women leaders in education, some of their titles, work, and contributions:
1. Savitribai Phule
Title: First Female Teacher in India
Work: Founded the first school for girls in India.
Contribution: Initiated woman’s education and social reform
Appreciation: Acknowledged for her courage against social norms
Dates: Born 1831, died in 1897
Awards: Celebrated on her birtday every year.
2. Asima Chatterjee
Title: First Indian Woman to Earn a Doctorate of Science
Work: Chemist and Educator
Contribution: Made major advances in organic chemistry.
Appreciation: Cleared the path for new generations of women in science.
Dates: 1917-2006
Awards: Padma Bhushan (1975)
3. Indira Gandhi
Title: First Women Prime Minister of India
Work: Politics and Leadership
Contribution: Championed women’s rights and education.
Appreciation: Remembered for exemplary leadership and foresight.
Dates: 1917-1984
Awards: Bharat Ratna (1971)
3. Kiran Bedi
Title: First Female IPS Officer
Work: Police Officer and Activist
Contribution: Pushed for women's rights and education.
Appreciation: Acknowledged for her frontline role in policing.
Dates: Born in 1949.
Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1994)
4. Fatima Begum Sheikh
Title: First Female Muslim Teacher in India
Work: Teaching
Contribution: Collaborated with Savitribai Phule in the field of women’s education.
Appreciation: Achievements have helped overcome challenges for Muslim women.
5. Rukhmabai
Title: The first practicing Indian female physician in India.
Work: Medical Doctor and social reformer.
Contribution: A women's right activist and pro-education campaigner.
Appreciation: Acclaimed due to her pioneering efforts in medicine.
Dates: 1864 - 1955
6. Anandi Gopal Joshi
Title: The first Indian woman to go out of the country for medical studies.
Work: Physician and a teacher
Contribution: Opened doors for women in medicine.
Appreciation: Acknowledged for her valiance and strong will.
Dates: 1865 - 1887
7. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
Title: Social reformer and educationist
Work: Campaigner for Women Handlers and Education.
Contribution: Helped in the upliftment of women and conservation of culture.
Appreciation: Reputed for facilitating social change.
Dates: 1903 - 1988
Awards: Padma Bhushan 1955, Padma Vibhushan 1987
8. Sarojini Naidu
Title: Poet, politician
Work: Women's rights and education activist
Contribution: Advanced women's interests through literature and politics.
Appreciation: Noted as one of the foremost leaders of the Indian National movement.
Dates: 1879 - 1949.
9. Mridula Sinha
Title: Author and educator
Work: Activist for women's education.
Contribution: Advanced literature and education.
Appreciation: Renowned for her writings and advocacy in education.
Dates: Born in 1942, died in 2020
Awards: Padma Shri (2020, posthumous)
10. Sister Nivedita
Title: Educator and Social Worker
Work: Founded girl’s school in Kolkata.
Contribution: Advanced education and social reforms for women.
Appreciation: Acknowledge for her devotion towards Indian culture and education.
Dates: Born in 1867, died in 1911
11. Madam Bhikaiji Cama
Title: Social Activist and Educator
Work: Women’s Rights and Education Activist
Contribution: Activism in women’s empowerment.
Appreciation: Particularly during India’s reign of independence.
Dates: Born in 1861, died in 1936.
Annapurna Devi and Atishi Marlena are making strides in literacy and educational reforms in Delhi. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit became the first female Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Other notable inspirations include Dr. Uma Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor of Noida International University, and Preeti Aghalayam, first female director of an IIT campus. Muthulakshmi Reddi and Mahadevi Verma also helped increase the level of women’s education in India.
All these contributions make us realize once again how education serves as an essential tool for empowering women and building a gender-equal society.
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