Presidents 1979 - Vanitha Nallathambi 1981 - Saroja Moses Sangha 1983 - Annamma K. K. George 1985 - Annamma K. K. George 1987 - Padmasani J. Gallup 1990 - Navamani Elia Peter 1992 - Navamani Elia Peter 1997 - Jessie Nesakumar 2002 - Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar 2006 - Nirmala Vasantha Kumar 2009 - Priscilla Reuben 2014 - Syamala Sukumar 2020 - Jyothi Sundar 2024 - Jessica Richard The Association of Theologically Trained Women of India (ATTWI) is an association of Indian women theologians which was constituted in 1979 in Chennai.
It is an ecumenical organisation with more than 500 members.ATTWI Handbook
History In 1977, Shanti Solomon and D. Hoeffer, a German missionary pioneered a conference for theologically trained women in Chennai with a three-fold purpose: to help the theologically trained women to explore ways and extend responsible participation in the total life and mission of the Church. to focus the attention of Churches on the presence of theologically trained women among them and to recognise their potential. to encourage theologically trained women to organise themselves into an all-India association to develop strategies for meeting their needs.
Another conference was organised in 1978 in Chennai. In 1979, an ad hoc committee was constituted to draft a constitution for forming an association. ATTWI became a reality in 1979.
Sessions, venue and topics
SessionYear Venue TopicI1979 (20–22 February)Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)Theologically Trained Women in India - Dare, Share and ActII 1981 (3–6 February)Jeevan Jyothi Retreat Centre, Hyderabad (Undivided Andhra Pradesh)Theologically Trained Women of India - Called to Serve III1983 (26–30 May)Queen Victoria Girls Inter College, Agra (Uttar Pradesh)New Dimensions in the ministryIV1985 (17–20 January)Charal Mount, Charalkunnu (Kerala)Feminist Theology in the West and Indian Church's ResponseV1987 (26–30 September)UMT College, Calcutta (West Bengal)Christian Home - the Nursery for Christian ConceptsVI1990 (8–11 February)Animation Centre, Bishop's House, Nagercoil (Tamil Nadu)New Dawn for WomenVII1992 (23–26 October)Mecosabagh Girls Hostel, Nagpur (Maharashtra)Theology - A Faith ExperienceVIII1997 (21–24 January)Operation Mobilisation Retreat Centre, Secunderabad (Undivided Andhra Pradesh)Theology - PraxisIX2002 (31 October - 2 November)Bosco Institute for Research and Development of Youth (BIRDY), Hyderabad (Undivided Andhra Pradesh)Towards a new community - a violence free societyX2006 (3–5 May)Serampore College, Serampore (West Bengal)Empowered by God - Women transcend barriersXI2009 (October)XII2014 (July)Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad (Telangana)XIII2020 (January)CSI Synod Centre, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)XIV2024 (21-22 May)CSI LITE Centre, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)Reimaging our potential Membership Membership to ATTWI is presently restricted to those who hold a degree in theology offered by the Senate of Serampore College (University) or such other theological degrees recognised by the Senate.
Notable people
Appraisal Wati A. Longchar, Consultant, World Council of Churches:
Publications Feminist Hermeneutics, Lalrinawmi Ralte, Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002,Feminist Hermeneutics, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002 .
Executive Committees The executive committees:ATTWI Handbook
Term PresidentVice-PresidentSecretary TreasurerExecutive Committee Members 1979-1981 Vanitha Nallathambi Nalini Arles Katakshamma Paul Raj Annamma K. K. GeorgeShanti SolankiGraham BasantiMerian MaryPrincipal UTCPresident of AICCWExecutive Secretary of Asian Church Women's Conference 1981-1983 Saroja Moses Sangha Florence Deenadayalan Sumathi Williams Susy DavidSmitha PramanikShantha KumariVatsala Christian 1983-1985 Annamma K. K. George Christina Lall Sarojini Prasad Rao Grace Bai JosephNihar Nalini ChatriyaSmitha RathodVimala Kantharao 1985-1987 Annamma K. K. George Christina Lall Sarojini Prasad Rao Grace Bai JosephNihar Nalini ChatriyaVimala KantharaoSumathi WilliamsHannah JosephSarala DavidSaroja SanghaNavamani Elia PeterMathai Zachariah 1987-1990 Padmasani J. Gallup S. A. Benjamin E. Joseph S. DevapalanaSmitha PramanikJessie RanjanShanti KumariAnnamma K. K. GeorgeM. Bage 1990-1992 Navamani Elia Peter Nirmala Vasantha Kumar Rajakumari Joseph Ratnavathi Babu RaoRachel MatthewManoj Manjari KumariGrace M. JosephPadmasani J. GallupNarendra John 1992-1997 Navamani Elia Peter Vijayamma Prasad Florence Deenadayalan Shanta GeorgeSuguna DevasundaramManoj ManjariAwala LongkumerSennangshila BenjaminP. C. LaltlaniVidya BenjaminRatnavathi Babu RaoNirmala Susai Shyamala BabyKunjamma Philip 1997-2002 Jessie Nesakumar B. V. Subbamma Soumini Jayan Sabitha SwarajShyamala SukumarMargaret PrabhuIda SwamidasAnne BhosleSunitha NoronhaAshwathy John 2002-2006 Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar Annamma Thariyan Pankaja Manilal Ratnavathi Babu RaoB. SubhashiniShanti TilakGraham BasantiChristina LallThankamma VarkeyAnna Mary 2006-2009 Nirmala Vasantha Kumar Susan George Matthew Limatula Longkumer Krupaveni Prakasha RaoSusan ThomasLeela RajanandamIvaleen AmmannaKanthamani Christopher RajLovely MukherjeeRualzamawiiRavi Tiwari 2009-2014 Priscilla Reuben 2014-2020 Syamala Sukumar 2020-2024 Jyothi Sundar 2024-Present Jessica Richard Dakerlin Mukhim Sofia Christabel Laila VijayanShantha KumariMinithaElizabeth GiriVedakaniElizabeth Aharone References Notes
Further reading
External links Women's Studies Department of UTC Women's Desk of the UELCI