"I was the first woman graduate in my family. I graduated in 1957. I studied in Government Arts College in Coimbatore."
Malathi Venkatesan, M.A, Government Arts College, Coimbatore, 1957
Sofia Cordeiro Monteiro, B.A. St. Xavier’s College, Bombay, 1941
(Photo taken in 1940) "The First Woman Graduate in My Family My mother, Sofia Cordeiro Monteiro, was the first woman graduate in her family. Born in 1919, she lived in Goa (then a colony of Portugal), where there were no facilities for University education. She was a brilliant student, finishing her SSC with distinction in... Continue Reading →
S. Subhalakshmi, M.A. Presidency College, Chennai, 1951
"The first woman graduate in the extended family is my maternal aunt, Subhalakshmi, 84 years old, living in Chennai, who holds a Masters degree in Economics. She passed out of Presidency College, Madras in the year 1951 and was ranked second in the University of Madras. She is currently a writer who writes in English... Continue Reading →
Choodamani Raghavan, B.A, Madras University, 1959
"I am Choodamani Raghavan and am the first woman graduate from a well known family of Chennai.I graduated in 1959 from Queen Marys College, Madras University in BA Economics . I am the grand daughter of K.S Krishnaswamy Iyengar a famous lawyer and High Court judge and daughter of K.S Vijayaraghavan Chief general manager SBI... Continue Reading →
Susan Vergese, B.A, Ethiraj College, Chennai, 1977
"I am Susan Vergese, wife of George Vergese. After schooling in Mumbai and thereafter in Chennai, I passed out from Ethiraj College, Chennai in 1977. I did a course at Cultural Academy, Chennai and then got married. I joined my father's business selling X-ray films. After my father's demise, I continued to run "The X-ray... Continue Reading →
G.K. Revathi, B.Com, SIET College, Chennai, 1976
G.K. Revathi (on the right); photo taken in 1976 at Krishna Photo Studio, Pondy Bazaar, Chennai "Guntur Krishnamurthy Revathi was the first female graduate of her family. While she studied Biology in school when it came to college she chose Commerce as she thought it would help her secure a job. Even before she completed... Continue Reading →
N. Anjana (Anjana Vedapuri), B.A, Ethiraj College, Chennai, 1970
Photo taken in 1972 "To the best of our knowledge, my mother, Anjana Vedapuri, is the first female graduate in her family. N.Anjana (as she was called then) finished her graduation in English Literature from Ethiraj College, Chennai in 1970. While her family could be called conservative in some ways, they were also highly supportive... Continue Reading →
T Saraswathy Amma, B.A and B.Ed, Calicut University, 1954
name of the graduate- Late T Saraswathy Amma, the college and/or university- Sree Kerala Varma College, Kerala major and degree- BA Malayalam, B.Ed( Calicut University, Kerala) the year of graduation- 1954 approximate year the photo was taken - 2007 "Late Saraswathy Amma, my maternal grandmother, the protagonist of this write up is the first woman... Continue Reading →
Varalakshmi Reddy, B.A, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, 1972.
(taken in 1972) "My mother passed away 4 years ago - her life and actions were an inspiration to me as a woman. She stayed away from her parents- with relatives in Bangalore, from age 8 to get an education and went on to become the 1st woman graduate in her immediate family." Contributor’s name:... Continue Reading →
Seenath Rohaiya, M.A, Sri Parasakthi Women’s College, Courtallam, 1970s
"IT’S MY LIFE! Forty five years ago, wearing the black gown, tightly holding the degree in hand a girl comes out of the Madurai Kamaraj University’s Convocation Hall. Her poor old father seeing with teary eyes brimming with love & immense pride hugs her and kisses her forehead. The moisture of that kiss felt... Continue Reading →