1870-1959 / public figure
In the late 19th century Mariam lived with her husband's family in Sukhumi and worked together with like-minded people on setting up Georgian schools and theatres.
Through her tireless work, she managed to overcome obstacles and compel the Russians to introduce teaching of the Georgian language in Sukhumi public schools in 1900.
Thanks to her close relationship with the Tbilisi and Kutaisi theatre troupes, Georgian plays were periodically performed in Sukhumi. In parallel, Mariam headed efforts to distribute Georgian periodicals and open reading rooms, efforts which culminated in the opening of the Sukhumi branch of the Society to Promote Literacy. She was elected to a seat on the society's board in 1903.
Mariam's education movement in Sukhumi served as a stimulus to the establishment of literacy promotion society branches in Ochamchire and Gudauta.