Sarojini Naidu

 

Born February 18, 1879.

Birthplace: Hyderabad, India

Death Date: March 2, 1949. (Of a heart attack)

 

Early life:

 

Sarojini Naidu was born to Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya, a scientist, philosopher, and educator. Her mother, Varada Sundari Devi was a poetess. As a child, Sarojini was very bright, and her father wanted her to become a mathematician, but Sarojini had a heart for poetry.

 

Career:

 

People were very impressed with Ms. Naidu work as a young child that she was granted a scholarship oversees and from here she developed her liking for poems and stuck to it. She later became a famous poet and also an Independence activist.  Ms. Naidu is in our top ten because she was truly an inspiration to India, and it's people. She fought for India's freedom and made a huge contribution to its' movement. Not only did her poems speak to India's people and described their struggles but she was also the first female president of India National Congress. Her most famous works include; The Bird Of Time, The Golden Threshold, The Wizard Mask, and The Broken Wings. Most of her work described India's customs, rituals, and its people. Ms.Naidu poems were very alluring and often turned into songs. Although her poems continue recognized everywhere in India, she is acknowledged for the leadership role  she played in India's Independence Movement. She joined the movement after the Bengal Partition in 1905 and since then she chose to continue that journey. While in the movement, she met people such as Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammed Ali Jinnah whom she bonded with easily.  Throughout 1915-1918, Sarojini traveled through India lecturing on women empowerment, socialism, nationalism and social welfare. In 1925, Sarojini was designated President of India National Congress making her the first woman ever to hold that position.