Women of Other Faiths
Using common values contained in their respective teachings, women of all religious traditions can work together and collaborate in many areas especially peace building and women’s empowerment. Collectively women of all faiths can learn from each other’s struggles and histories, while showing support for women’s religious leadership roles worldwide. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting women of all faiths to be featured through our recommendation form.
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Amma, the Hugging Saint
For Amma, removing the sorrows of others is as natural as drying the tears from her own eyes. The happiness of others, this is Amma’s happiness. The security of others, this is Amma’s security. The rest of others, this is Amma’s rest. This is Amma’s vision. And it is this vision that Amma’s life is dedicated to awakening in mankind.
—Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri
Known For: Hindu spiritual leader and humanitarian
Dates: Common Era 1953 - Present (CE)
Faith: Hinduism
Country: India
About
Born to a poor fisherman and his wife, Sudhamani became Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. Dubbed the Hugging Saint, Amma is a Hindu spiritual leader whose appeal spans across all faiths. She is also a widely respected humanitarian. In addition to having hugged an estimated 30 million people over the past 30 years, Amma has also spoken and been honored at various engagements around the world, including the United Nations General Assembly. Her goal is to reach out to the world through the simple but selfless act of hugging and has garnered a notable following through her straightforward message.
Through her efforts, Amma has raised millions of dollars, contributing to and creating numerous charitable efforts including $23 million relief for the 2004 tsunami and $1 million for Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the 2005 earthquake struck Kashmir and Pakistan, thousands of blankets were distributed by M.A. Math to the displaced.
She founded the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in India, a not-for-profit hospital and research center dedicated to providing health care to all. Mata Amritanandamayi Math, one of her humanitarian ventures, has undertaken various humanitarian projects including building homes, orphanages, and women’s shelters to name but a few of their building efforts. Around 100 schools are supported along with a pension and welfare system.
In 2002, Amma was awarded the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence by the World Movement for Non-Violence in Geneva. In both 2002 and 2008, Amma gave the keynote speech at the Global Peace Initiative of Women.
