EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1800; PANDITA RAMABAI SARASVATI P/51

 

In this post I will continue to share the story of a woman named Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati. She lived from 1858 - 1922. In 1889, she was the first woman to address the 2000 delegates of the National Social Congress in Bombay. A powerful orator, audiences in India and America always gave her resounding applause and standing ovations.

In 1896, during a severe famine in her homeland, Ramabai toured the villages of Maharashtra with a caravan of bullock carts and rescued thousands of outcast children, child widows, orphans, and other destitute women. She housed them in the shelter that she opened called Mukti Mission.

By 1900, there were 1,500 residents and over a hundred cattle in the Mukti Mission and Pandita helped establish a Church at Mukti. The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission is still active today, providing housing, education, vocal training etc. for many needy groups including widows, orphans and the blind.