Sarla Behn

Overview

Sarla Behn (née Catherine Mary Heilman) born Shepherd’s Bush, London, England April 5, 1901 (d. 1982). British Gandhian social reformer. Spent eight years in Gandhi's ashram. Imprisoned two years during the Quit India protests. Founded Lakshmi Ashram to empower women, 1946. Active in Bhave's Bhoodan (“land gift”) movement. Founded Chipko environmental movement, 1972.

Quotations

“The education system in Udaipur involved four hours of teaching and four hours of manual working in fields, besides cleaning toilets, washing own clothes and cooking. This spirited me and encouraged me to work more for women and dignity of labour.” (autobiography, in The Tribune, Aug. 24, 2015; photo uttarkhaand-times)