In a country whose history spans hundreds of years of exponential inequality, where customs and culture have a strong influence on the social and political life of the people, the social mixture cobwebs make it difficult for a woman to escape discrimination and reach better opportunities to empower themselves. That times when society was very conservative, there was a woman who not only braved the most stringent odds but also etched her name in the field of science. She is the first Indian female physician. To giving her tribute the Venus crater named as Joshee. She was born on 31 March 1865 in Kalyan, Maharashtra, Anandibai was married at the age of nine to Gopalrao Joshi who was twenty years senior to her. He also helped her receive education in medicine.
She was encouraged by her husband to study and in 1880 sent a letter to a well-known American missionary Royal Wilder stating that his wife Anandi had an interest in studying medicine science at the United States and inquired if there was any suitable post for himself. The couple get the offer that they convert themselves to Christianity, but it was not acceptable to Gopalrao and Anandi. Gopalrao convinced her to study and set an example in the society by pursuing higher education.
In America, Anandi was advised to apply in Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. The society in India censured her knowing that she will pursue the studies further. Many of people supported Anandi’s decision in America but they wanted her to convert to Christianity. She addressed the whoole community , explained her desire to go to America. She obtain a medical degree in America. She was very stressed on the need of Hindu female doctors in India , due to this she talked about the goal of opening a medical college for women in India. Anandi pledged that she would not convert to another religion.America Anandibai travelled to Newyork in 1883.
Anandibai passed away in very young age on 26 February 1887 . When she could turn before 22. The whole country sad on her death. After death , her ashes were sent to Theodocia Carpenter who placed it in the family cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York.