🎖️ PERSON IN NEWS

Gertrude Alice Ram – India’s First Woman Major-General

Why in News?

• On August 27, 1976, Gertrude Alice Ram made history as the first woman in the Indian Army to become a Major-General, breaking the glass ceiling in Military Nursing Services (MNS).

Key Highlights

• Career Milestones:
  • Joined Indian Military Nursing Service (IMNS) in 1944 at the age of 19.
  • Served in WWII (1946), caring for soldiers evacuated from Italy.
  • Rose steadily to become the Director of Military Nursing Services.
  • Became India’s first woman Major-General in 1976.
• Global Recognition:
  • Her promotion placed India alongside United States and France – the only countries then with women in flag ranks.
• Personal Struggles:
  • Lost her mother at age 1 and father at age 6.
  • Dependent on relatives, chose nursing to achieve independence and service.
• Leadership Style:
  • Known for discipline, simplicity, and resilience.
  • Advocated that “a soldier must be prepared for everything.”

Significance

• Trailblazer for women in Indian armed forces.
• Her rise symbolized women’s entry into higher military leadership.
• Continues to inspire women in nursing, healthcare, and defence services.
  
  Updated: August 27, 2025 ; 8:22 PM | India Today