Born in April 1935, Pushpo Rani Guho is the eldest of the seven children of Niharkona and Nepal Chandra Som. In an era where women seldom went to school, she completed her primary education in the only school that her village Mehediganj has. Seeing her extraordinary interest in studies, her father took the initiative to boldly rent a house in the town so that she could continue to study. She got admitted to the Jagadish Sarashwati Girls’ School. The school offered her a wonderful opportunity to participate in cultural programmes. She became the first actress at the Barisal Shilpi Sangsad (Barisal Artist Forum). It was a tremendous departure from tradition.

Pushpo came in contact with Monoroma, a political activist, and followed in her footsteps. She became an active member of several movements including the Tevaga Andolon and the Language Movement in 1952. She joined the Communist Party in 1954 and took part in a mass revolt in 1969. She worked at the Adorsho Matri Mondir Primary School from1955 until 1992. Pushpo is currently the vice-president of the Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Barisal branch and the joint-convenor of the Barisal Nagorik Parisad.

Age does not deter her from taking part in social activities and working on the issue of violence against women. “Ever since my childhood I have been convinced that the status of women will not improve unless they are given access to education.” At 69, Pushpo is still as passionate about educating girls and helping them become self-reliant.