Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Anandabai Joshee M.D.

1865 - 1887

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 15, 2022

1. Anandabai Joshee M.D. Monument

Inscription.
First Brahmin woman to leave India to obtain an education.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Science & Medicine • Women.

Location. 41° 40.993′ N, 73° 55.905′ W. Marker is in Poughkeepsie, New York, in Dutchess County. It can be reached from South Avenue. Monument is in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Section A. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 342 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Hudson Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Poughkeepsie Volunteer Fire Department World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Neilson (about 500 feet away); Civil War Memorial (about 600 feet away); Brev't. Maj. Louis McLane Hamilton (about 700 feet away); Spanish-American War Memorial (about 800 feet away); Trolley Waiting Shelter (about 800 feet away); Elijah Hedding D.D. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Uppuqui-ipis-ing (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poughkeepsie.

Regarding Anandabai Joshee M.D.. From the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Walking Tour brochure:

Joshee was the first Brahmin woman to leave India to receive an education abroad. She was

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sponsored by Theodosia Eighmie Carpenter of Poughkeepsie who, in 1882, read a magazine story about an Indian woman who wished to leave India to study to be a doctor. Carpenter sponsored Joshee's trip to the U.S., and the Carpenters became a second family for Anandabai.

In 1883, she enrolled in Pennsylvania Medical College, an amazing accomplishment for any woman at that time. She received her medical degree in 1886 and returned to her home to practice medicine. Tragically, she contracted tuberculosis soon after her return to India and died in 1887 at the age of 21.

Although Indian tradition required that she be buried with her family, Joshee had insisted that her ashes be returned to her adoptive home of Poughkeepsie where they were buried in the Eighmie family plot.

Also see . . .
1. Anandibai Joshee (Drexel University Legacy Center). (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 15, 2022

2. Anandabai Joshee M.D. Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.