Beyond Glass Ceilings: Women Who Built Their Own Tables
I recently dived into the incredible life of Anandibai Joshi, India’s very first female doctor trained in Western medicine, and wow! Her story shook me. Imagine growing up in 19th-century India, where women’s education was barely a whisper, and dreaming of studying medicine in a foreign land! At just 14, Anandibai was married off, but she was anything but typical. With a stubborn spark and fierce determination, she grabbed every chance to learn, even convincing her husband to support her bold dream to study in the U.S., which was a path so unusual it practically screamed “break the norms!”
Her journey wasn’t smooth sailing; she faced health struggles, skepticism, and cultural barriers, but she pushed through like a true pioneer. Anandibai’s story tells us one big thing: courage is about moving forward even when the world says you can’t. She didn’t wait for permission or perfect conditions; she made her own medicine, literally and figuratively, to heal her community and rewrite what it meant for Indian women to dream big.
What can we take from Anandibai’s blazing trail? For starters, never underestimate the power of belief, from yourself and your cheerleaders around you. Her husband’s support was a game-changer, proving that allies can amplify our strength. Then there’s grit, because facing tough days is part of the deal, but quitting is not. Lastly, embracing bold dreams, no matter how outlandish they seem, can spark change far beyond what you imagined.
So whether you’re juggling studies, chasing a wild dream, or just trying to find your voice in this noisy world, look at Anandibai’s life and get inspired to make your own “impossible” possible. Sometimes all it takes is one brave step fueled by passion, and the rest will follow.
Anthem of the Month: “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé
See you in the next edition. One fearless step at a time, we’re breaking old molds and building new tables where everyone’s invited ✨