thewire.in The Indian Women Who Fought Their Way Into the Legal Profession Jhuma Sen 15-19 minutes What do we understand when we identify ourselves as feminist? The Wire’s Histories of Feminisms project is an attempt to emphasise that there is no linear or one way of understanding and experiencing feminism. Through a series of articles, The Wire draws your attention to some of the different narratives and debates that, over the decades, have come to define feminism. For instance, we recall the first generation of feminists in Kerala, the first women lawyers who surmounted formidable challenges to claim their rightful place in the legal system. We shine a light on women authors who pushed the boundaries of feminism in literature, bring before you the perspectives and experiences of feminist Dalit and Muslim women. We talk about how protagonists of many radical movements and uprisings in public memory are usually male. Side by side, we bring you important debates around 19th- century cultural nationalism and gender reform, the discussions around sexual violence, the law and the MeToo movement. § India, a newspaper published by the Indian News Agency from London, Bombay and Poona city, reported on September 1, The Indian Women Who Fought Their Way Into the Legal Profession about:reader?url=https://thewire.in/law/women-lawyers-history-india 1 of 11 20-02-2019, 12:15