Savitribai Phule (1831–1897), a social reformer and author, is recognized as the first female teacher in India. Through tireless advocacy and educational initiatives, she played an instrumental role in establishing some of the first girls’ schools in India. In addition, she advanced several broadly feminist and progressive causes, including pushing for the abolition of India’s notorious caste system. Although it was officially abolished in 1850, the Indian caste system still exists today. The system is a class structure in which one’s location in the social hierarchy is determined at birth and is unchangeable. In the India of Phule’s time, opportunities, access, and treatment were dependent entirely on the status of one’s family.