India has witnessed numerous pioneering women who have made significant strides in various fields. Here is a list of notable first females in India, along with a brief explanation of their achievements
Politics and Governance
1. Indira Gandhi :
First Female Prime Minister ( 1966-1977, 1980 – 1984 ) :
Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman to serve as the Prime Minister of India. She is remembered for her strong leadership during challenging times, including the Green Revolution and the Emergency period.
2. Pratibha Patil :
First Female President (2007 – 2012 )
Pratibha Patil became the first woman to hold the office of the President of India, serving from 2007 to 2012. She has a long career in politics and social work.
3. Sushma Swaraj :
First Female Cheif Minister of Delhi ( 1998 )
Sushma Swaraj served as the first female Chief Minister of Delhi for a brief period in 1998. She was also the first woman to be the External Affairs Minister of India.
4. Meira Kumar
First Female Speaker of the Lok Sabha ( 2009 – 2014 )
Meira Kumar served as the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha , the lower house of India’s Parliament .
Judiciary
5. Fathima Beevi
First Female Judge of the Supreme Court ( 1989 )
Fathima Beevi was the first woman appointed as a judge to the Supreme Court of India inn 1989 .
6. Leila Seth ;
First Female Chief Justice of a High Court ( Himachal Pradesh , 1991 )
Leila Seth was the first woman to become the Chief Justice of a state High Court in India.
Education
7. Savitribai Phule :
First Female Teacher (1848) :
Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher in India, and she along with her husband jyotirao Phule , played a pivotal role in women’s education and social reform.
Military and Defense
8. Punita Arora :
First Female Lieutenant General of the Indian Armed Forces :
Punit Arora became the first woman to attain the rank of Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and the Indian Armed Forces.
9. Harita Kaur Deol :
First Female Pilot in the Indian Air Force (1994 ) :
Harita Kaur Deol was the first woman pilot to fly solo in the Indian Air Force
Space And Science
10. Kalpana Chawla
First woman of Indian Origin in Space ( 1997 )
Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space . She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 .
11. Tessy Thomas
First woman Scientist to Head a Missile Project in India :
Known as the ” Missile Woman of India ” Tessy Thomas was the project director for the Agni – IV and Agni – V missile systems
Literature and Arts
12. Sarojini Naidu
First Female President of the Indian National Congress ( 1925 ) and first Female Governor of an Indian State ( Uttar Pradesh , 1947 )
Sarojini Naidu , also known as the ” Nightingale of India ” was an eminent poet and freedom fighter.
Sports
13. P.T. Usha
First Indian Woman to Reach the Final of an Olympic Event ( 1984 )
P.T.Usha often called the “Queen of Indian Track and filed .” reached the finals of the 400 meters hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
14. Karnam Malleswari
First Indian Woman to Win an Olympic Medal (2000)
Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting at the Sydney Olympics in 2000
15. Saina Nehwal
First Indian Woman to reach World No .1 in Badminton :
Saina Nehwal became the world number one in badminton, bringing significant recognition to the sport in India.
Fiance
16. Shanti Ekambaram
First Female CEO of a Private Sector Bank
Shanti Ekambaram served as the head of Kotak Mahindra Bank ‘s consumer banking division and has been a prominent figure in the banking industry.
These Pioneering women have not only broken barriers in their respective fields but have also paved the way for future generations of women to achieve greater heights in India and beyond.