Women Graduates Union marks 111 years with scholarship plan

The Women Graduates Union in Colaba, established in 1915, turns 111 this year. It will celebrate with cultural events and launch its annual scholarship scheme on August 18, awarding Rs 25 lakh to over 100 students, said former president Gauri Chhabria. The scholarship fund has been running since 1957.

Founded by Dr Annette Benson, the organisation began as the Bombay Presidency Women Graduates Union. Cornelia Sorabji, the first woman BA graduate from Bombay Province (1888), later became the first secretary of the Federation of University Women in India. The union secured seats for women in the Bombay University senate and Bombay Municipal Corporation, and its hostel, inaugurated by Pratibha Patil in 1974, now houses over 100 working women.

The union also runs a counselling centre, a study centre for municipal school children, and a balwadi for toddlers. It continues to advocate for women's empowerment through education and skill-building programmes.