Stree Shakti began in 2003, when Mrs. Chinni Swamystarted teaching a woman quilting in her Purkal home. An artist and designer by trade, Chinni believed in the empowerment of women and wanted to help an underprivileged woman in the community earn an income to provide for her family. Mrs. Swamy, and her husband, G.K. Swamy had also started a school in Purkal in 2001 –
Purkal Youth Development Society, so Stree Shakti was an addition to supporting the community’s women. With training by Mrs. Swamy, the woman started making beautiful patchwork quilts that people wanted to buy. With support from Chinni’s friends, demand for the quilts grew and more women joined in the making of Stree Shakti quilts. For the first two years, Chinni managed the program in her home, where friends came to view and buy products.
