Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) was a feminist leader, educator, poet, and social reformer in India. She and her husband, Jyotiba Phule,... Read More
Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) was a feminist leader, educator, poet, and social reformer in India. She and her husband, Jyotiba Phule, dedicated their lives to improving the lives of girls and women and abolishing the caste system. Her husband taught her to read and write after their marriage at age nine and she continued her education at training programs. Savitribai, Jyotiba, and his female cousin, Sagunabai Kshirsagar, founded the first school for girls in Bhide Wada, Pune. Savitribai opened eighteen schools over her lifetime. Savitribai routinely was pelted with dung, mud, and rocks during her commute to the school from opposing locals.
As a social activist, Savitribai helped established Mahila Seva Mandal, a women’s shelter, which educated and empowered women from all caste and the Home for the Prevention of Infanticide, an orphanage for children of widows. She campaigned against child marriage, opposed Sati Pratha (widow self sacrifice), and advocated for opportunities for widows.
Savitribai died helping others during the Third Pandemic of the bubonic plague. Her legacy has been recognized in statues, stamp dedications, and a university in her name.
