Sitavaa Jodhati
Hailed as a “Goddess of women empowerment” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sitavaa Jodatti has helped transform the lives of countless women. For the past three decades, she has fought for the welfare of Devadasis and Dalit women in Belagavi. Sitavaa’s sufferings and experiences gave her the courage to do something for other women like her. She decided to break free from tradition and founded Mahila Abhivruddhi Matthu Samraksahna Samsthé (MASS) in 1997 to empower Devadasis and provide them with support. The organization has grown since then and has taken up various projects to help former Devadasis, Dalit women, and their families. Today, MASS has 17 permanent staff, 55 part-time volunteers, and over 3,000 members. The organization has successfully run multiple programs for Devadasi empowerment as well as the education of their children. Their part-time staff provides free tuition for children in various villages in Belagavi district and also offers guidance for competitive exams.
Source: https://yourstory.com/2018/03/inspiring-unsung-heroes-padma-awards
