British Women Medical Missionaries in Twentieth-Century Colonial India
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Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University History Dissertations Department of History 8-12-2016 "Ours is a Great Work": British Women Medical Missionaries in Twentieth-Century Colonial India Beth Bullock Spencer Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_diss Recommended Citation Spencer, Beth Bullock, ""Ours is a Great Work": British Women Medical Missionaries in Twentieth-Century Colonial India." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2016. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_diss/50 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of History at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in History Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “OURS IS A GREAT WORK:” BRITISH WOMEN MEDICAL MISSIONARIES IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY COLONIAL INDIA by GEORGIA BETH SPENCER Under the Direction of Ian Christopher Fletcher, PhD ABSTRACT Drawing from the rich records of Protestant British women’s missionary societies, this dissertation explores the motivations, goals, efforts, and experiences of British women who pursued careers as missionary doctors and nurses dedicated to serving Indian women in the decades before Indian independence in 1947. While most scholarship on women missionaries focuses on the imperial heyday of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, this study highlights women medical missionaries in the late colonial period and argues for the significance of this transitional moment, a time of deepening change in medical science and clinical practice, imperial rule and nationalist politics, gender relations, and the nature of the missionary enterprise in both India and Britain. Analysis of the relationship between missionaries in India and their managers in Britain reveals the tensions among women who shared a common commitment, yet brought different perspectives and priorities to women’s missionary work. A life-cycle approach to work and career allows examination of individual women’s development as healthcare professionals and as missionaries. Telling the stories of missionaries’ everyday experiences shows that a sense of purpose, preparation, professionalism, and positive role models sustained those women who were able to meet the great demands of medical missionary work. These missionaries often overcame obstacles and challenges through negotiation and collaboration with patients and their families as well as reflection and learning from experience. Many came to believe they had achieved measurable progress and made a positive difference in the quality of Indian women’s lives. The missionaries’ commitment to Christian medical service for Indian women reached beyond the colonial era and eventually embraced a transfer of leadership to Indian Christians. INDEX WORDS: Women missionaries, Colonial India, Medical work “OURS IS A GREAT WORK:” BRITISH WOMEN MEDICAL MISSIONARIES IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY COLONIAL INDIA by GEORGIA BETH SPENCER A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University 2016 Copyright by Georgia Beth Spencer 2016 “OURS IS A GREAT WORK:” BRITISH WOMEN MEDICAL MISSIONARIES IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY COLONIAL INDIA by GEORGIA BETH SPENCER Committee Chair: Ian Christopher Fletcher Committee: Mohammed Hassen Ali Ghulam Nadri Wendy Venet Electronic Version Approved: Office of Graduate Studies College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University August 2016 v DEDICATION For my father, Charles S. Bullock, III who always hoped I would finish this project And in memory of Dr. Maureen Flynn and Dr. Blair B. Kling vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation would not have been possible without the support, encouragement, and help of many people. I have benefitted from many wonderful teachers at several institutions, but must especially thank several individuals for directly contributing to my ability to complete this project. As an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, I was drawn to major in history by the late Dr. Maureen Flynn’s fascinating social history courses. My senior paper advisor, Dr. Thomas Ganschow, motivated me to strive to become a better writer, and to enjoy the process of learning. Although I left the University of Illinois’ doctoral program prior to starting my dissertation, this study—completed many years later—owes much to the advice and interest shown by the late Dr. Blair B. Kling, who guided me through the history of colonial South Asia, and directed my independent studies on British women’s work in India. Dr. Leslie J. Reagan’s graduate seminars on women and medicine exposed me to a field of study I had never considered, leading me to focus on missionaries’ work in medicine, midwifery, and nursing. On one of my student evaluations, Dr. Reagan wrote that I “think like a historian.” This simple comment—which, due to my admiration for Dr. Reagan, felt like a great compliment—has helped sustain me through years of wrestling with the challenges of balancing a full-time career with the desire to research and write a history dissertation. After leaving Illinois, I took nearly a decade “off” before returning to graduate studies in history, making a new beginning at Georgia State University. I could not have completed a Ph.D. in History if it hadn’t been for Georgia State’s acceptance and support of part-time doctoral students, and the fact that faculty in the Department of History are willing to offer evening classes. Not many people would want to go through coursework and comprehensive vii exams at two institutions, but I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences as a graduate student in the History program at Georgia State—my faculty were great, the seminars were engaging, I made some good friends, and I grew as a writer and researcher. I appreciate my dissertation committee members: Dr. Wendy Venet, Dr. Mohammed Hassen Ali, Dr. Ghulam Nadri, and my Chair, Dr. Ian Fletcher. Their questions and advice at my prospectus presentation, as well as their time, insights, and constructive conversation at my defense have been very helpful in shaping this project. And I thank Ms. Robin Jackson, Graduate Studies Coordinator, for her part in keeping me on track even during the years when I was ABD and never on the Georgia State campus. Finally, I owe much to the University System of Georgia (USG)—in addition to the professional opportunities I’ve had as an employee at four USG institutions, the USG’s Tuition Assistance Program meant I could pursue my full-time career in higher education while completing a degree without paying tuition and fees. Dr. Ian Fletcher has been more to me than just a wonderful dissertation advisor. I imagine that he has often wondered if I ever would really finish my dissertation, but he has never been anything other than positive, encouraging, and patient. Whenever I have gotten “stuck” in my writing—which has been often—he has been able to ask the right questions, to help me reframe my thinking, and to guide me through the process of organizing and crafting this work. He has given me his time on weekends and evenings—accommodating my work schedule—for meetings and phone conversations. The years that he facilitated the Trans-Empire Research Cluster meetings allowed me—and many other graduate students—the opportunity to share our research, get valuable feedback, and build camaraderie. He has also consistently reminded me and other graduate students of the importance of not neglecting other important areas of our lives while still striving to do well in our academic endeavors. Dr. Fletcher’s sincere interest in viii graduate students’ work, and his commitment to both supporting them and contributing to their development, is truly admirable. I completed my coursework, exams, reading and much research while working at Georgia Tech, but I have done all of my actual writing for this dissertation since joining the staff at the University of West Georgia. I am indebted to my supervisor, Dr. John D. Head, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, for insisting that I make finishing my dissertation one of my annual professional development goals—and for holding me accountable. John has also been a good role model for me—he is dedicated to his work and responsibilities to the university, but also enjoys a rewarding personal life. The wonderful, hard-working staff in West Georgia’s Center for Academic Success have also contributed to this project by cheering me on, and by allowing me to take the time I needed to write—their support has been invaluable. No director could ask for a better staff than Paula Neild, Carrie Ziglar, Darius Thomas, Stephanie Westine, and Chris Black! Finally, I thank my family and friends. My husband, James, took me on our first date the day after my first seminar at Georgia State. He has had to spend a lot of time alone while I have worked on “the diss.” He has also made me thousands of cups of much-needed tea to help keep me going! Linda Orr King, who finished her dissertation a year ago, has given me many “pep talks” and some great meals during these years. I’ve been part of a couple of informal “dissertation support groups” which have helped me stay connected to my dissertation; I especially thank Linda King, Carrie Whitney, Andy Reisinger, and Rich Mannion for being part of this journey. My parents—especially my father—have tried to motivate me over the past few years, but also deserve the credit for instilling a love of learning in me. I regret that I didn’t finish this work during my grandfather’s long life, but I know he’s proud of me, wherever he is. ix And, while I know this may seem silly to some people, I am grateful to my little dog, Heidi, who came into my life when I really needed her, and who has faithfully slept by my desk chair for the past six and a half years.