Ida Scudder (Dec 9, 1870 – May 24, 1960)
Ida Scudder was a third-generation American medical missionary in India. She dedicated her life to the plight of Indian women and the fight against bubonic plague, cholera and leprosy. In 1918, she started one of Asia's foremost teaching hospitals, the Christian Medical College & Hospital in the state of Tamil Nadu.
In the late 1800s, she was visiting her father in India. One night, Ida was asked to help three women from different families struggling in difficult childbirth. Custom prevented their husbands from accepting the help of a male doctor and being without training at that time, Ida herself could do nothing. The next morning she was shocked to learn that each of the three women had died.
When Ida went back to America, she entered medical training (practically unheard of for women at that time) and, in 1899, she was one of the first women graduates of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University; shortly thereafter, she returned to India and opened a one-bed clinic in Vellore in 1900. In 1918, the medical school for women was opened. Social conservatives argued that she would be lucky to get even three applicants but she had 151 applicants in the first year. Today this college is among the most famous in India.
The Scudder family have contributed more than 1,100 combined years to medical service in India through 42 members of 4 generations. A school in vellore is now named after Ida Scudder, to honour the foreign lady who made improving the lives of Indian women her life mission
Bangalore Blessing Youth Mission, India
Dedicated for missionary Revival & Evangelism
(taken from Indian Quotes)


























