Ramabai Ranade
Ramabai Ranade, 1862-1924, social worker. Daughter of an Ayurvedic physician, she was married at the age of 11, in 1875 to Mahadev Govind P.anade, who was elder to her by 20 years. Nevertheless, both husband and wife were very devoted to each other, and Ranade himself taught her many subjects. She became intensely interested in the welfare of women, and presided over the 5rst meeting of the Bharat Mahila Samaj, in 1904. She remained president of Bombay Seva Sadan from 1908 to her death, and was also the founder-member of Arya Mahila Mandal. It was under her leadership that women’s franchise was achieved,, in 1923. She was also a critic of the treatment of Indian labour in South Africa. Her autobiography is famous in Marathi literature.
