D. Sreedevi

D. Sreedevi (28 April 1939 – 5 March 2018). was an Indian lawyer, judge and social activist in Kerala. She was the Chairperson of Kerala Women's Commission twice.

Early life and education
D Sreedevi was born in 1939 at Chirayankeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram as the daughter of Damodaran and Janaki Amma, both teachers. After pre-graduation from NSS College, Thiruvananthapuram, she graduated from Sree Narayana College, Kollam, and later obtained her B.L. from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Career
Sreedevi was enrolled as advocate and began her practice in Thiruvananthapuram in 1962. She began her career in the lower judiciary in Kerala. In 1971 she was appointed the Munsiff at Kottarakkara in the Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services. She was promoted as District & Sessions Judge in 1984. She was then elevated to the High Court of Kerala as a Judge on 14 January 1997. She retired as the Judge of the High Court on 28 April 2001.

Chairperson of Kerala Women's Commission
She later went on to become the Chairperson of Kerala Women's Commission on 21 March 2001 and continued until 12 May 2002 with T. Devi, Adv. Nafeesath Beevi, Adv. K. Santhakumari, Smt. P. K. Sainaba, Prof. P. Gowri and Prof. Monamma Kokkad as the members of the commission. She once again became the chairperson of the commission for a term of 5 years from 2 March 2007 to 1 March 2012 with T. Devi, P.K.Sainaba, Rugmini Bhaskaran, Prof. Meenakshi Thampan (02-03-2007 to 15-07-2011) and Adv. Noorbeena Rasheed (16-08-2011 to 01-03-2012) as members.

According to M. C. Josephine, Justice Sreedevi's legal expertise was instrumental in ensuring justice to women in distress and her efforts are a model for others in women empowerment.

Family
Sreedevi was married to U Balaji, who was a well known advocate. In 2021, her son Basant Balaji was appointed as an additional judge of the Kerala High Court.

Autobiography
Sreedevi's autobiography is titled ‘Aajanma Niyogam’ which means  a lifelong mission.

Awards

 * The Akkamma Cheriyan Award for the best social worker (2009).
 * The Guruvandanam award instituted by Asan Institute.
 * The P N Panickar Family Welfare Award

Death
Sreedevi died suddenly on 5 March 2018 from liver failure. She was 78. She was under treatment for liver disease during her last days.