About the Book

Susheela Gopalan (1929–2001) was a founder of the women’s movement in India. In her Foreword, Brinda Karat writes, “In sixteen chapters, this book takes us through the life of this inspirational leader, a woman of strength, commitment, and unwavering loyalty to the red flag and the party. Geena herself is extremely sensitive to the challenges women face in their everyday lives, as they strive to overcome restrictive social norms. She has brought that sensitivity to her writing in this book about the life of Susheela. For example, she captures the profound impact on the child Susheela when her mother walked out of an unhappy marriage, spurning financial gains offered to her by her in-laws for a reconciliation. In those days, it was not easy for a woman to take such a bold step, and it taught Susheela the importance of practically demonstrating one’s belief in one’s personal life. And yet, it was the same mother Susheela defied when she disapproved of her decision to marry A.K. Gopalan (AKG), citing the age difference among other concerns.

“Susheela was strong-willed, which is quite different from being stubborn. Once she decided to marry AKG, nothing in the world could stop her. Her political life was never overshadowed by the larger-than-life, popular, legendary leader, Kerala’s most beloved AKG. He respected her, and she never felt cramped in her work. Her utter devotion to him was constant, yet she created her own path, making immense contributions to the movement. Her role in building the working women’s movement, as part of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and later as the founding General Secretary of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), is historic.”