India’s first female legislator Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi has been a source of inspiration for all. Muthulakshmi Reddy was the country’s first (medical graduate) female doctor too. At the same time, she was the first girl in the country, who enrolled in boys’ school.
She raised the voice of women’s rights throughout the ages and also contributed to the freedom struggle. Google has remembered today by making Doodle (Muthulakshmi Reddi Google Doodle) on the 13th anniversary of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy.
Muthulakshmi Reddi was born on 30 July 1886. Despite many difficulties to read from childhood, she also did not disappoint parents and became the first female doctor in the country. Having become the first woman MLA of the country, she became an example for all.
Let’s know lesser known facts related to her:
- S S Narayana Swamy, father of Muthulakshmi was the Principal of Maharaja College of Chennai. Despite the tales of society, her mother Chandramai sent her to read.
- She was a promising student from the beginning. After 10th, she filed a form for admission in Maharaja College of Pudukottai. However, due to the lack of attention given to the women at that time, her form was rejected by the college.
- After graduation, Muthulakshmi joined Madras Medical College, where she was friends with Annie Besant and Sarojini Naidu.
- Muthulakshmi graduated from Medical College and became the first woman in the country to complete graduation.
- She also worked as the first female house surgeon of Government Maternity and Eye Hospital in Madras.
- She also got an opportunity to go to England and go ahead, but she preferred to work for the ‘Women’s Indian Association’. Muthulakshmi helped in the establishment of the ‘Women’s Indian Association’ in 1918.
- She was also elected as Vice-President of Madras Legislative Assembly and after this, she became the first woman MLA of India.
- During his lifetime, Muthulakshmi made rules to stop the marriage of girls in the lower age and urged the Council to pass the Immoral Trafficking Control Act.
- In 1954 she also laid the foundation of ‘Adyar Cancer Institute’. Today this year 80 thousand cancer patients are treated here.
- Due to her great contribution, Muthulakshmi was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956.
- She died on 22 July 1968 in Chennai.
Muthulakshmi Reddi Birth Anniversary: Tamil Nadu to celebrate Hospital Day on July 30 every year
