Why in the News?

100 years ago, on September 23, 1924, Mary Poonen Lukose became the first woman to join a legislative council in an Indian princely state, entering the Travancore Legislative Council.

Who Was Mary Poonen Lukose?

Born on August 2, 1886, in Kerala, she became the first woman from the state to earn a medical degree, specialising in gynaecology and obstetrics.
Her contributions:
- She performed the first cesarean section in Kerala before 1920, often working under challenging conditions with minimal equipment.
- She started a midwifery training program for local women, which led to safer home births, reducing risks for mothers and babies.
- As a member of the Travancore Legislative Council, she influenced public health policy, using her expertise to benefit the community.

Records set by Mary Poonen Lukose

First woman legislator in an Indian princely state: In 1924, she became the first woman member of the Travancore Legislative Council (a predecessor to Kerala’s Legislative Assembly).
First woman graduate from Madras University in 1909, despite facing barriers to studying science as a woman.
First woman Surgeon General of Travancore, and possibly the first woman Surgeon General in the world, in 1938.
- First woman to head the health department in Travancore, in 1924.
Awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 for her contributions.

PYQ:

[2013] Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (10 marks-200 words).

[2011] With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for

(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

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Who was Mary Poonen Lukose?

Why in the News?