SEN, SHRIMATI SUSHAMA, Cong. (Bihar—Bhagalpur South—1952): D. of Late Shri P. N. Bose; B. Calcutta, April 25, 1889; ed. at Loreto House, Calcutta, Darjeeling, London, Cambridge; m. late Dr. P. K. Sen, M.A., LL.D. (Cantab), M.P., August 15, 1904; 1 S. and 1 D.; Social worker since 1905; Associated with Indian National Cong., Partition of Bengal movement, Mahatma Gandhi’s Anti-purdah, khadi and swadeshi movements; Worked for abolition of child-marriage, casteism and dowry system; Joined women’s suffrage movement in London, 1910; Secretary, Victoria Institution, Calcutta, 1908—15; Secretary and President, Aghore Nari Samity, Patna, 1918—53; President, Child Welfare Committee, Bihar Council of Women, 1922—29; Established first three Child Welfare Centres in Patna; Member, Red Cross Dufferin Fund and National Cadet Corps, Bihar; President, All India Women’s Conference, Madras, 1927; Member, first Standing Committee for Bihar, All India Women’s Conference and founder of its Branch in Bihar; Organised Annual Session of All India Women’s Conference in Patna, 1929; Treasurer, Organising Secretary, Chairwoman, Vice-President and Patroness, All India Women’s Conference, 1929—52; Framed its Constitution and Rules; Appointed by A.I.W.F.A. Chairwoman, Special Committee, held at Panchmari for framing scheme for Lady Irwin Domestic Science College for Women, Delhi; Gave evidence before Joshi Committee on Age of Consent Bill at Patna; Jail and Hospital Visitor, Patna, 1923—47; Gave evidence before Joint Parliamentary Commission, London, on Indian Women’s Franchise; Raised funds for Bihar Earthquake Relief, London, 1934; Did relief work for refugees from Sind in Bihar and Delhi; Founder-President, Kishore Dal, Children’s Organisation, Bihar; Organised Women’s College and Women’s ward in Hospital, Bhagalpur, 1947—50; Municipal Commissioner, Patna City Municipality, 1941—46; Member, Bihar Legislative Assembly, 1946—52; President and Trustee, Patna, Monghyr and Simla Brahma Samaj; Attended World’s Congress of Faiths at Cambridge and Oxford, 1939 and 1951.

Travels: Burma, Malaya, U.K. and all over Continent.

Accomplishments in Arts: Indian and English Music, Singing and Painting.

Hobbies: Travelling, sight-seeing and photography.

Special interest: Social Reforms, Relief of the Poor and River-Valley projects.

Favourite pastime: Organising Charitable Dramatic performance and Cooking.

Recreation: Singing, knitting and reading. 

Permanent address: Bayley Road, Patna.