Lakshmi Bai Naidu

First female judge in India, breaking gender barriers in legal profession

Lakshmi Bai Naidu (1886-1964) was a pioneering Indian lawyer and judge who became the first woman to hold judicial office in India. Born into a prominent Tamil Brahmin family in Madras, she defied societal norms by pursuing legal education at a time when women were largely excluded from professional careers. After completing her studies at Madras Law College, she passed the Bar examination in 1913, becoming one of India's earliest female lawyers.

Her most significant achievement came in 1929 when she was appointed as the first woman judge in the Madras High Court, a position she held until her retirement in 1948. This historic appointment shattered gender stereotypes and paved the way for future generations of women in Indian judiciary. Naidu's rulings often emphasized social justice, particularly regarding women's rights and labor laws. She famously presided over landmark cases involving child marriage prohibitions and property rights for women.

During her career, she actively participated in India's independence movement, advocating for women's suffrage and education. Her advocacy led to the establishment of the Women's India Association in 1917, which promoted legal literacy among women. Naidu's legacy is celebrated through the Lakshmi Bai Naidu Foundation, which continues her work in empowering women through legal education.

Her story is featured in the book <《Trailblazing Indian Women Who Changed History》 and the documentary film <《Voices of Justice: India's Legal Pioneers》, both highlighting her groundbreaking contributions to gender equality in legal systems.