Anna Chandy made history as the first woman to serve as a High Court Judge in India. Born in 1905 in the Kingdom of Travancore, she grew up in Thiruvanthapuram in a Syrian Christian family. Upon finishing her post-graduate studies at the Government Law College in 1926, she achieved the distinction of being the inaugural woman in her state to obtain a Law degree. Specializing in criminal law, Chandy began her practice as a barrister in 1929, gaining recognition for her work in criminal cases.
In addition to her legal career, Chandy was passionate about advocating for women’s rights. In 1930, she founded and edited the Malayali Magazine “Shrimati,” providing a platform to address issues of gender inequality and discrimination. Through her publications, she challenged societal norms and advocated for widow remarriage and fair wages for women working in agriculture. Her efforts earned her the reputation of being a pioneering feminist of her time.
Despite facing opposition and defamation during her foray into politics in 1930, Chandy persisted and eventually secured a seat in the representative body of Travancore in 1932. However, her most significant achievement came in 1937 when Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, the Dewan of Travancore, appointed her as the first woman Judge in India. After independence, Chandy continued to break barriers by becoming the first woman Judge of Independent India when she joined the Kerala High Court, where she served until 1967.
Following her retirement from the judiciary, Chandy contributed to legal reforms as a member of the Law Commission of India. In 1971, she published her autobiography titled “Aatmakatha.” Despite her passing in 1996, Anna Chandy’s legacy lives on as a trailblazer in the Indian Judiciary, paving the way for greater inclusion of women in professional spheres.
