The Women's Indian Association (WIA) was founded at Adayar, Madras, in 1917 by
Annie Besant,
Margaret Cousins,
Jeena Raja Dasa, and others to liberate women from the deplorable condition women suffered in socio-economic and political matters during the 19th and the early 20th century. The Association later developed into a potent force to fight against illiteracy, child marriage, the Devadasi system and other, social ills. After Besant's death in 1933,
Dorothy Jinarajadasa
Dorothy Jinarajadasa (1882 - 1963) was a Scottish-Indian feminist, suffragette, and writer. Along with Margaret Cousins and Annie Besant, she established the Women's Indian Association in 1917, and was active in efforts to end child marriage and ...
became more involved in the internal politics of theosophists. Unfortunately the faction she supported fell from favour, and her name stopped appearing in all documents from that point onward.
History
The name of the organization was chosen to indicate its inclusive makeup, allowing both Indian and European women to join, and lack of affiliation to any philosophy, religion, caste, or social class. Founded on 8 May 1917, in
Adyar, Madras by
Margaret E. Cousins, its first president was
Annie Besant. Founding members included
S. Ambujammal,
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (3 April 1903 – 29 October 1988) was an Indian social reformer and freedom activist. She was most remembered for her contribution to the Indian independence movement; for being the driving force behind the renaissanc ...
,
Mary Poonen Lukose
Mary Poonen Lukose was an Indian gynecologist, obstetrician and the first female Surgeon General in India. She was the founder of a ''Tuberculosis Sanatorium'' in Nagarcoil and the ''X-Ray and Radium Institute'', Thiruvananthapuram, served as th ...
,
Begam Hasrat Mohani,
Saralabai Naik,
Dhanvanthi Rama Rau,
Muthulakshmi Reddy
Muthulakshmi Reddy (also spelled Reddi in some British Indian sources; 30 July 1886 – 22 July 1968) was an Indian medical practitioner, social reformer and Padma Bhushan award recipient.
Muthulakshmi Reddy was appointed to the Madras Legisl ...
,
Mangalammal Sadasivier, and
Herabai Tata
Herabai Tata (1879–1941) was an Indian women's rights activist and suffragist. Married in 1895, Tata's husband was progressive and supported the education of his wife and daughter, hiring tutors to help her with her schooling. In 1909, Tata, wh ...
.
Stri Dharma
The
Stri Dharma was the journal published by the WIA to voice its ideals and beliefs. It addressed political and social issues facing women in India as well as the achievements of women worldwide.
References
{{reflist
Further reading
* Women's Indian Association. (1967). ''The inspiring saga of Women's Indian Association, 1917- 1967.'' Madras: W.I.
* Women's Indian Association. (1967). ''Women's Indian Association, Madras, India : Golden jubilee celebration, 1917 to 1967.'' Madras: W.I.
External links
* Stri Dharma available from the Britis
Library
Women's organisations based in India
1917 establishments in British India
Organizations established in 1917