Muthulakshmi Reddi

India's first female legislator who transformed healthcare and women's rights in early 20th century

Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi (1886–1968) shattered colonial-era gender barriers as:

• First Indian woman to practice medicine (1912)
• First female legislator in British India (1926)
• Founder of Adyar Cancer Institute (1954)

Her Devadasi Abolition Bill (1929) liberated thousands from temple slavery. Reddi established women's medical services across Madras Presidency, reducing maternal mortality by 40% within a decade.

As editor of Stri Dharma journal, she promoted feminist thought through bilingual publications in English and Tamil. Her 1930 international tour convinced British suffragettes to support Indian independence.

Modern India's gender-neutral inheritance laws and child marriage prevention acts directly stem from Reddi's legislative work. The Indian government issued commemorative stamps in 2018 celebrating her 132nd birthday.