K. Chinnamma

K. Chinnamma was a feminist, social worker and woman activist from Kerala, India. In 1918, she started Raja Sreemoolam Thirunal Shashtyabda Poorthi Smaraka Hindu Mahila Mandiram (S.M.S.S Hindu Mahila Mandiram now), Kerala state's first home for destitute women. She founded the institution with the aim of educating, empowering and rehabilitating girls from less privileged backgrounds, irrespective of religion or caste.

Biography K. Chinnamma was born in 1883 in a typical farming family in Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram to Kalyani Amma of Attingal Edavamadam House and Velayudhan Pillai. Poverty, oppression and destitution suffered by vulnerable women have plagued Chinnamma from an early age. After completing her basic education at Senana Mission Girls' School, Thiruvananthapuram, she obtained her FA degree from Thiruvananthapuram Women's College. In 1911, while presiding over a women's conference, she met Theerthapada Paramahamsa and on his advice she focused on social work. In 1916, Chinnamma spoke about her idea at a women's conference on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the then King of Travancore, Sreemoolam Thirunal, but no one supported her idea. She traveled a lot to raise money for this institution. Chinnamma Memorial Girls High School

In 2019 November, the Indian Postal Department issued a special cover to mark the centenary of SMSS Hindu Mahila Mandiram started by Chinnamma. The cover carries a special stamp with picture of K. Chinnamma on it.