Ammu Swaminadhan Anakkara Vadakath

Ammu Swaminathan (1894 – 1978) was an Indian social worker and a prominent political activist during the Indian independence movement. After independence, she served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and later, as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madras State. She was the matriarch of a family that includes people of such diverse fame as Captain Lakshmi, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai and Subhashini Ali.

Ammu Swaminathan was born to Govinda Menon in Palghat district of Kerala. She was the youngest child of her parents. At 13, she married Dr. Subbarama Swaminathan, a distinguished barrister of Madras and a remarkable man in many ways. Subbarama studied at Edinburgh and London Universities before obtaining a doctorate in law from the prestigious Harvard University. Ammu's life transformed after her marriage to Dr. Swaminathan who was more than 20 years her senior. She had four children, two daughters Lakshmi, Mrinalini and two sons Govinda and Subbarama.

She took active part in India's struggle for independence and became a close disciple (though not uncritical) of Mahatma Gandhi[citation needed]. She was elected a Member of Parliament in 1952 and was associated with many cultural and social organizations. She went to Ethiopia, China, USA and USSR as a goodwill ambassador.

She served as President of the Bharat Scouts and Guides from November 1960 to March 1965.

She was also selected as 'Mother of The Year' in 1975 on the inauguration of International Women's Year.