BRIEF HISTORY OF SOCIETY
The origin of the Society of St. Anne – Phirangipuram can be traced back to 19th century in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded by Thatipatri Gnanamma, a lay woman, who hailed from Phirangipuram, a small village in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. She was given in marriage to Innaiah, the Phirangipuram. The ideal couple was blessed with five sons. Unfortunately she became a widow at the young age of 37. Left all alone with five boys to bring up, she put her entire trust in the Divine Providence and raised her children strong in the basic values. Freed from all family commitments, Gnanamma moved to a village called Kilacheri, forty kilometres from Chennai and settled down at that place. The infinite wisdom led her step to Kilacheri.
Dreams---During
her time, the educajective tion of young girls was an impossible dream. Gnanamma kept
constantly in touch with the illiterate girls in the locality and identified
education as a principal means of empowering them. Fr. Arokianathar, the parish
priest of Kilacheri , helped her to reflect concretely and go ahead with
founding a school for girls in Kilacheri.
Journrey of her mission---For this vision to
materialize, she started a school exclusively for girls in 1863. Inspired by
her committed service to the cause of women, two young girls requested Gnanamma to let them help her in the wonderful cause in the capacity of nuns. Accepting
their request, she sent them to be formed at St. Anne Novitiate of the Good
Shepherd Congregation in Bellary. After their initial formation, these two
young girls, became nuns in 1874 with a
specific vision for the betterment of women known as Society of
St. Anne was born.
Empowerment of women--- The
Society was founded out of the pressing need for empowering women through
education. Therefore, it was the mission that demanded the formation of our Society.
The Society was divided into two administrative regional units
with separate headquarters in Phirangipuram and Hyderabad. The two regions were
elevated to the status of Provinces in 2008.
Our mission and Goal--The main objective is education, Health, Skill Development, Women Empowerment and Social Activities. It has also expanded into other fields like medical and social work to meet the needs of the underprivileged.
Our Vision
- To provide service to one and all in spirit of Founders Vision.
1. Strengthen our mission through our activities to
uplift the under privileged people of the society especially the needy
- Provide educational services in rural
area, both in native vernacular as well as English
- Community service through social service centers
mainly for the oppressed sections of society
- Health care through dispensaries and
hospitals
- Uplift youth through Skill Trainings.
- Reform and rehabilitate prison inmates.