Lakshmi Mithoo

A pioneering Indian feminist and legal reformer who fought for women's rights and property ownership in the early 20th century.

Lakshmi Mithoo (1914–1992) was a trailblazing Indian activist and lawyer whose work reshaped the legal landscape for women in India. Born into a conservative family in Mumbai, she defied societal norms by pursuing higher education and becoming one of India’s first female lawyers. Her advocacy led to landmark legislation, including the Indian Succession Act amendments, which granted married women the right to own property independently of their husbands. Mithoo’s efforts were instrumental in dismantling patriarchal laws that had long restricted women’s economic autonomy. She also co-founded the All India Women’s Conference in 1927, an organization that pushed for women’s suffrage and educational access. Her legal battles, including cases against child marriage and gender-based violence, set precedents that influenced global feminist movements. Despite her achievements, Mithoo remains underrecognized outside India, making her a pivotal yet overlooked figure in the history of women’s rights.