Savitribai Phule was born in Maharashtra, India, and devoted her life to improving the rights of women in Indian society. She was India's first female teacher. She challenged the social norms, often at risk to herself. She set up schools to teach girls an education, campaigned against child marriages, and for widows to be able to remarry. Her work and legacy prove how it is possible for an individual to make a positive difference to their community: a lesson which is as universally relevant today as ever.
“Do not sit idle”
Savitribai Phule encourages others to take action to further themselves.
There is so much that we take for granted in modern day society. We are taught a restricted narrative which omits so many inspiring characters from history. It can be easy to forget all of the heroic efforts that have been made in order to push for equality, support, and understanding within society. But these stories are out there, waiting to be read. Then they can be built upon—as it is equally important that every generation protects the progress that has been made, whilst simultaneously pushing for more.
Go, get education! Go read! Go write! Become self reliant; work hard to gather knowledge for knowledge is wealth; without knowledge all is lost, and we become animals. So do not sit idle; those who feel oppressed, abandoned, take this golden opportunity to put an end to your sorrows. (translation by Prontobard - 2023)