Anandi led a very diff erent life from other girls of the times. Her husbandwanted her to study and made sure she could attend school.

At the age oftwelve, faced with a terrible loss, Anandi decided to become a doctor so shecould help others. And she wanted to do so by going to faraway United States.

Overcoming unimaginable odds, Anandibai made her way to Pennsylvania, atone of the very few medical colleges worldwide to admit woman students. She faced harsh criticism from people in India, and had to give a publiclecture explaining why she was going to America.

As an eighteen-year-old,she adjusted to life in an alien land and studied hard, becoming the fi rst Indianwoman to get a medical degree in the US. Anandibai Joshee faced terrible physical abuse, ill health, and discrimination,yet she remained calm and graceful.

In this biography, her life and times comealive-her ambition, the stories of other pioneering women like her, andhow she spoke up about the equality of men and women. Her story remains abeacon of hope for every girl everywhere.

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