Ramabai Ranade

Born: 25 January 1863

Died: 25 January 1924

She was an Indian social worker and one of the first women’s rights activists in the 19th century.
At the age of 11, she was married to Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, who was a distinguished Indian scholar and social reformer.
In that era of social inequality, women were not allowed to go to school and become literate.
She soon after her marriage, started to learn reading and writing with strong support and encouragement from Mahadev Govind Ranade.
Starting with her native language Marathi, she strove hard to master English and Bengali.
Inspired by her husband, Ramabai started the ‘Hindu Ladies Social Club’ in Mumbai to develop public speaking among women.
She was also a founder and President of ‘Seva Sadan Society’ in Pune.
She devoted her life to the improvement of women’s lives.
She with her husband and other colleagues established in 1886 the first girls’ high school in Pune, the renowned Huzurpaga.
In her honour, the Indo-Australian Post issued a Postage stamp picturing Ramabai on 14 August 1962, in her birth centenary year for her great contribution towards the Indian society.
A television series on Zee Marathi named Unch Maaza Zoka (roughly translated as ‘my swing flies high’, with an implication of ‘Dream big in life and strive for it’) based on her life and her development as a ‘women’s rights’ activist was telecasted in March 2012.
This series was critically acclaimed and celebrated throughout Maharashtra.