Cornelia Sorabji was a pioneering Indian lawyer, social reformer, and writer who made significant contributions to women’s rights and social justice in India. Born on 15 November 1866 in Nashik, she was the first woman to graduate from Bombay University and the first woman to study law at Oxford University. Sorabji was a trailblazer in a time when women’s rights were severely restricted, and her advocacy work laid the foundation for legal reforms that allowed women to practice law in India.

Sorabji’s early life was shaped by her father’s mission work and her mother’s active involvement in girls' education. Her mother’s work, including founding girls’ schools, was a major influence on Sorabji's commitment to education and women's empowerment. After completing her studies at Deccan College, Sorabji became the first female graduate of Bombay University with a first-class degree in literature. Her academic excellence led her to pursue further studies in England, where she became the first woman to take the post-graduate Bachelor of Civil Law exam at Oxford University, earning a reputation as a pioneer for women in education.

In 1894, after returning to India, Sorabji began working with purdahnashins—women who were secluded under the purdah system. These women often faced legal challenges, particularly related to property ownership, but were unable to navigate the legal system because they were not permitted to communicate with men. Sorabji became an advisor to them, and though she was unable to represent them in court due to gender restrictions, she pushed for legal reforms to address this gap. She became the first female advocate in India after presenting herself for the LLB examination in 1897. However, she was not recognized as a barrister until 1923 when the law that barred women from practicing law was changed.

Her work was not just in the legal field; she also worked to change social norms, such as child marriage and the practice of Sati, though she believed that education was the key to lasting change in society. Her legacy as a trailblazer for women's rights and legal reform in India continues to inspire generations of women in law and social service.