almswomen

Almswomen are women who receive alms, which are charitable donations, typically in the form of money or food, given to the poor or needy. Historically, the term almswoman often referred to women who were recipients of regular, institutionalized charity, such as those living in almshouses. Almshouses were charitable institutions founded to provide housing and support for elderly or impoverished individuals.

The concept of alms giving itself is deeply rooted in religious and moral traditions across many cultures and faiths, emphasizing compassion and the duty to assist those less fortunate. Almswomen, therefore, were women who, due to circumstances such as old age, poverty, disability, or widowhood, were unable to support themselves and relied on the generosity of others for their basic needs.

The provision of alms to almswomen was often managed by religious orders, charitable guilds, or wealthy benefactors. The specific conditions for receiving alms could vary; some might require adherence to certain rules of conduct or religious practices. While the term "almswoman" might evoke a sense of historical poverty, it also reflects a system of social welfare and community support that existed before modern state-provided social security systems. Today, while the term itself is less common, the principle of providing charitable support to needy women continues through various forms of social assistance and humanitarian aid.