Mary Clubwala Jadhav, Social Worker
Social Worker

Mary Clubwala Jadhav

Born 20 May 1908 · Tamil Nadu

Founded the Indian Hospitality Committee during World War II to support Indian soldiers and their families.

Mary Jadhav, also known as Mary Clubwala Jadhav, was an Indian philanthropist who has been awarded Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan, one of the India's highest civilian honors for her social work.

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A detail that
surprised us

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The victorious 14th Army gifted Mary Clubwala Jadhav a Japanese sword in 1945 to honor her wartime support efforts, a rare recognition for an Indian civilian.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1942, amid World War II, Mary Clubwala Jadhav launched the Indian Hospitality Committee in Madras, organizing mobile canteens and entertainment for thousands of Indian troops stationed nearby, earning her a Japanese sword from the 14th Army.
2
She founded the Guild of Service, which established multiple units for orphanages, female literacy, and rehabilitation of disabled individuals, starting from the late 1940s across Chennai and India.
3In 1952, Mary founded the Madras School of Social Work, the first such institution in South India, overcoming funding hurdles and gaining support from Chief Minister PS Kumaraswamy Raja.
4🎖️ Mary was appointed Sheriff of Madras in 1956, becoming the first woman to hold the position, and later hosted the Duke of Edinburgh during his 1961 visit to the city.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1975
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Mary Clubwala Jadhav was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1941, before India’s independence, highlighting colonial recognition of her social initiatives during wartime.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu
Mary Clubwala Jadhav was born Mary Patel on June 10, 1909, into the Parsi community in Ootacamund, then part of Madras Presidency.
1909
🌟
Other
Death of first husband
Her first husband, Nogi Clubwala, died due to illness, prompting Mary to dedicate herself fully to social work.
1935
🏅
Award
Awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire
Recognized by the British Empire for her social work efforts during World War II.
1941
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Career
Founded Indian Hospitality Committee
Organized mobile canteens and entertainment for Indian troops in Madras during WWII.
1942
⚡
Career
Established Madras School of Social Work
Founded the first social work educational institution in South India to professionalize social service.
1952
⚡
Career
Appointed Sheriff of Madras
Became the first woman to hold the civic office of Sheriff in Madras.
1956
🏅
Award
Received Padma Vibhushan
Awarded India’s second highest civilian honor for lifetime social work contributions.
1975
🕊️
Death
Death of Mary Clubwala Jadhav
Passed away at the age of 67, leaving a lasting legacy in social reform and education.
1975
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Guild of Service’s idea to set up residential homes for abandoned children was inspired by a military officer, Lt Col Ford Thomson, in 1948, merging military and civilian social welfare efforts.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Mary Clubwala Jadhav served as Sheriff of Madras in 1956, a role traditionally held by men, marking a notable gender breakthrough in the city’s civic administration.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Her second husband, Major Chandrakant K Jadhav, was also deeply involved in social work, indicating a shared personal and professional commitment to social reform.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Mary Clubwala Jadhav’s pioneering role in founding the Madras School of Social Work laid the foundation for professional social work education in South India, influencing generations of social workers. Her establishment of the Guild of Service created enduring institutions for child welfare, literacy, and rehabilitation, which continue to operate across India. Her wartime initiatives set a precedent for civilian support to soldiers, bridging military and civilian cooperation in India’s social fabric.

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