Vera Kapoor

Indian social reformer who pioneered women's education in rural India

Vera Kapoor (1905-1972) was a visionary social reformer from India who dedicated her life to empowering rural women through education. Born into a Parsi family in Mumbai, she witnessed the stark gender inequalities during her childhood which motivated her life's work. In 1930, she founded the Shishuvan School in Mumbai, but her most impactful work began in 1942 when she moved to rural Maharashtra to establish the Gram Seva Mandal (Village Service Society).

Against societal norms, Vera established over 50 schools specifically for girls in remote villages, often facing opposition from conservative leaders. Her innovative approach included training local women as teachers and integrating vocational training with literacy programs. By 1950, her schools had educated over 3,000 girls who became community leaders, midwives, and teachers themselves.

In 1965 she pioneered India's first rural credit union for women, providing financial independence. Her 1968 book Pathways to Rural Empowerment remains a seminal text in development studies. Vera's legacy endures through the Vera Kapoor Foundation, which continues her work in 12 Indian states today.