Cornelia Sorabji: Inspiring Generations with Her Legacy of Courage
In the backdrop of British colonialism, a remarkable journey began in Nashik, that would defy conventions and rewrite history. Born into the illustrious family of Reverend Sorabji Karsedji and Francina Ford, Cornelia Sorabji emerged as a trailblazer destined for greatness. Her legacy transcends boundaries, as she etched her name in history as the first woman to graduate from Bombay University and pursue a legal education at Oxford, a feat accomplished long before the British women's suffrage movement gained momentum. With her father's unwavering support and her own unparalleled academic prowess, Cornelia Sorabji embarked on a journey marked by courage, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. A Peek Into Her Timeline ~ Francina was a significant pioneer of the feminist movement who founded several schools for girls in Pune and gave property rights advice to the local women. Cornelia dutifully earned a high-honors law degree in 1888, but she was not granted a scholarship to further her education in England. She was not to be deterred and accepted a temporary teaching position at a men's college in Gujarat. She also wrote to the National Indian Association to request financial support to enable her to pursue her studies overseas. The outpouring of support was tremendous. Mary Hobhouse, the wife of a well-known Council of India member, was a major supporter of her cause, although Florence Nightingale, Adelaide Banning, and Scottish politician Sir William Wedderburn were all among the many who made sizeable contributions. With their support, Cornelia was able to sail for England and enroll at Oxford's Somerville College, creating a first for Britain. After earning her degree in 1894, two years later, she went back to India and started working as a specialist for purdahnashins, or women who were not allowed to speak with males. Despite a blanket prohibition that would not be lifted until 1922, which prevented her from representing them in court, Cornelia bravely battled for these neglected women's inheritance rights as well as her own as a professional. She secured the right for purdahnashins to receive nursing training and went on to become a government legal advisor on the matter. For her social reformist work on behalf of these women and other causes, including her daring challenge to traditional Hindu views on child marriage, Cornelia was granted the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal in 1909. Sorabji founded her legal practice in Kolkata when the legal field finally allowed women to operate in the 1920s, but even then she was only allowed to prepare arguments in absentia rather than present her case in person before the court. A Prominent Changemaker ~ ( Source: Google Images ) Throughout her career, Cornelia Sorabji is said to have assisted over 600 clients in navigating the legal system. This is no small accomplishment considering the barriers she faced from a very strict and patriarchal society as well as from a judicial system that attempted to impose foreign Western ideas on India. She was an avid writer of short stories, and her two memoirs and the book Between The Twilights (1908) both detail her experiences. After retiring in 1929, Cornelia Sorabji went back to England and resided on Green Lanes close to Manor House in north London till her passing on July 6, 1954. In 2012, the judicial center of London, Lincoln's Inn, presented a bronze bust in her honor. A Strong Takeaway ~ Cornelia is a role model for all women, but particularly for South Asian women who are still fighting for equal rights. For many years, South Asian women have faced obstacles related to their sexuality and culture, especially those from the diaspora. South Asian society has indeed evolved in recent decades about the idea of equality. For instance, the majority today views it as appropriate for women to work or pursue higher education. Unfortunately, men continue to be in positions of authority in many situations, and in many instances, cultural norms and customs still define a woman's place. This is particularly true when it comes to a woman's sexuality and her lack of agency in cases of sexual assault. Considering the difficulties she had in that environment, it is amazing that Cornelia became the first female lawyer in India and was able to offer Indian women a legal voice. She gave examples of how Indian women may take charge of their own stories and show that they are just as entitled to legal and educational rights as everyone else. At the age of 87, Cornelia Sorabji peacefully passed away in 1957, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate with generations. As we reflect on her remarkable life, we are reminded of the profound impact individuals can have on shaping the course of history. (Source: Google Images)
