Ammubaibai Ghatge

A pioneering Indian educator who established the first girls' school in India in 1848, defying societal norms to advance women's education.

Ammubaibai Ghatge (1820–1890) was a visionary social reformer from Maharashtra, India, best known for founding the first girls' school in India in 1848. Born into a Brahmin family, she defied rigid gender norms of the 19th century by prioritizing women's education at a time when female literacy rates were less than 5%. Her establishment of the Girls' School in Dehu marked a turning point in Indian history, challenging the prevalent belief that educating women was unnecessary or immoral.

Despite facing opposition from conservative segments of society, Ghatge collaborated with progressive leaders like Jyotirao Phule to promote women's rights. She integrated marginalized communities into her educational initiatives, including lower-caste girls and orphans. Her work laid foundational principles for modern Indian education systems, influencing later reformers like Pandita Ramabai. Ghatge's legacy is commemorated through statues in Pune and educational institutions bearing her name. Modern scholars highlight her contributions in works like Indian Women Pioneers of Education and Gender and Reform in Colonial India. Though overshadowed by male contemporaries, her efforts directly contributed to India's modern feminist movements.