User:Libwriter/sandbox

Anna Robison Atwater (25 May, 1859 - 23 March, 1941) was an influential leader in and an organizer of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions (CWBM). This was the women's organization of the Disciples of Christ, and it was different than other equivalent women's mission organizations of the time because it maintained autonomy from other boards and answered to no one other than its own female constituency.

Early Life
Anna was the daughter of Harriet Young and Decker D. Robison. Anna's father passed away when she was four, leaving her and her siblings to educate themselves. In 1882, she graduated from Hiram college (as did four of her five siblings) before becoming a high school principal in Bryan, Ohio.

Editor
Anna was the editor of Missionary Tidings, the CWBM magazine from 1905-1909. After the magazine ended in 1918, Atwater gave the following quote about its effect on the world:

""Many a time have narrow kitchen walls stretched away into zenanas, orphanages, hospitals and homes in distant lands, and love and life have expanded. Many a case of nearsightedness that was well-nigh chronic has been cured and many cases have been prevented by this '' ubiquitous missionary."

As we come to this closing issue we are thankful to remember on its pages no spirit of retaliation or of bitterness. It has been busy with big tasks. We believe no one has ever from its words lost confidence in his fellow Christians, or hope for the future of our people, or faith in the great onward movements of God... but we have come to a period of development where we all want a magazine that shall set forth the whole task of the Church to the whole Church.""

- Anna Atwater