Árdís - 01.01.1954, Page 63

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
61
Madame President
By INGIBJORG S. BJARNASON
Perhaps the most outstanding and colorful woman of recent
years is Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, president of the United Nations
General Assembly for 1953-54.
Not only is she the first woman
to hold that office, but she is also
a native of a country whose
women, until very recent times,
were more restricted and protected
than almost any others.
Truly an amazing story, hers.
Madame Pandit was born in India,
at the beginning of the century,
into the family of a wealthy Alla-
habad lawyer. Her youth was
spent in luxury as became a mem-
ber of her caste. Her childhood
home appears to have been a
singularly progressive and broadminded one. Her early education
was supervised by an English governess who was allowed to take
her young charge with her when she visited the American Mission
Hospital. The young girl became very interested in these Christian
Missions and developed a great and lasting admiration for the
noble women who had left comfortable homes and security to labor
in a foreign land among the sick, the dirty, and the ignorant—just
because of a desire to serve. This became, to her, a symbol of faith.
Her father was vitally interested in politics and especially in
the movement which was striving to gain for India, her independ-
ence. He, as well as his son Jawharlil Nehru and his daughter,
became ardent followers and admirers of Mohandas Ghandi. At
that time Ghandi had not yet attained the position of Spiritual
leader, but his non-violent, anti-British independence movement
was becoming noticed and was gaining supporters.