Margaret Cousins

Irish-born theosofist

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July 21, 2026

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Margaret Cousins was an Irish-born theosophist and feminist who played a significant role in advocating for women's education and social welfare in India. Theosophy, in general, refers to teachings about God and the world based on mystical insight, often incorporating beliefs in spiritual evolution and reincarnation.12

Cousins was instrumental in the founding of the All India Women's Conference (AIWC) in 1927, an organization dedicated to improving women's education and social welfare across India. She had previously helped establish the Women's Indian Association in Madras in 1917, one of India's earliest feminist groups. Her efforts extended to advocating for legislative changes to end child marriage and secure women's rights to divorce and inheritance. Cousins also promoted Jiddu Krishnamurti, whom she believed to be a potential world teacher.13

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All India Women’s Conference
…of Irish-born theosophist and feminist Margaret Cousins. Nearly a decade earlier, in 1917, Cousins had helped establish the Women’s Indian Association in Madras (now Chennai), one of India’s first feminist groups. Multiple such associations were subsequently established in India. In 1926, concerned about issues in women’s education in India, Cousins…
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…of Irish-born theosophist and feminist Margaret Cousins. Nearly a decade earlier, in 1917, Cousins had helped establish the Women’s Indian Association in Madras (now Chennai), one of India’s first feminist groups. Multiple such associations were subsequently established in India. In 1926, concerned about issues in women’s education in India, Cousins…
Read More