Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery

I met one of the owners of Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery at the Raymond street fair in September 2019. They had set up a table there. He gave me a ceramic coffee mug just for stopping by. I told him that I was from out of town and he teased me by asking for the mug back. The mug now sits on my wall unit next to my mug collection from all my travels. Thank you for the fine souvenir of Poughkeepsie New York.

In ‘lot 216-A’ of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, New York, amongst the numerous gravestones of Americans lies the rectangular gravestone of Dr. Anandibai Joshi. The inscription tells us that Anandi Joshi was a Hindu Brahmin girl, the first Indian woman to receive education abroad and to obtain a medical degree. How did she achieve this? What were the obstacles she faced? I try below, to give my version of what her answers might have been to these questions today, based on information gathered by reading about her and her times.

Anandibai Joshi from India travelled to Newyork in 1883. There she wrote to the Medical College of Pennsylvania about her desire to study medicine from the College. The dean of the college happily received her. She joined the college at the age of 19 and was graduated with MD (Doctor of Medicine) on 11 March 1886. Her health had significantly declined due to cold and unfamiliar weather and diet.

Queen Victoria had also sent her congratulatory message on her graduation.

India
Anandibai came back to India in 1886 and the princely state of Kolhapur, Maharashtra appointed her as the physician in charge of the female ward at Albert Edward Hospital.

Last days
Anandibai passed away on 26 February 1887 before she could turn 22. The whole country mourned her death, and her ashes were sent to Theodocia Carpenter who placed it in the family cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York.

I'm from India. I'm living in the Indian State of Maharashtra. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the FIRST INDIAN WOMEN DOCTOR. She was from Maharashtra State. I'm very proud on her.
I will surely visit this place one day and take her blessings. Thanks to Theodosia Carpenter Family!

Great place, the staff is outstanding and very helpful.

While it may b beautiful outside on the Hudson River, my father just passed & the service inside the mausoleum was absolutely sweltering! Every time I go to visit him now, I have to wring myself out, battle flies, b/c they NEVER have ac on inside! That’s whole point of mausoleum, protection and shelter from elements & heat! Doors n windows always open blowing steaming air in with flies all over. Disgraceful. NEVER been to mausoleum that wasn’t cold. Flowers die immediately & for other obvious reasons, should b kept cool. Can’t believe it. I bought crypt too & can’t believe this is environment I spent so much $$ on.

Make a reservation, people are dying to get in here. ;-)