March 8 is International Women’s Day. To mark this special occasion, we would like to present eight strong women in German history who have achieved a great deal. They are future-oriented, emancipated and, above all, fearless. Be inspired by the exciting stories of these eight strong German women.
1 Clara Zetkin
Clara Zetkin (1857-1933) fought relentlessly for the emancipation of women. She argued that women could only be emancipated once they were no longer economically dependent on men. The politician called for women’s suffrage as well as free choice of profession and health and safety laws for women. But that was not all: the fearless Clara Zetkin called for resistance against National Socialism!
Clara Zetkin (left) with Rosa Luxemburg (right). Unknown author. Via commons.wikimedia.org
2 Louise Aston
Louise Aston (1814-1871) also fought for equal rights in her own unique way. She provoked with her behavior, wore men’s clothing and smoked in the street. This led to her being guarded by the police and even expelled from Berlin. She was also “provocative” with her texts, in which she stood for emancipation and free personal development. But she also published the odd erotic poem. She was a woman who refused to be defeated!
3 Elisabeth Selbert
Dr. Elisabeth Selbert (1896-1968), lawyer and politician, is also known as the “mother of the Basic Law”. After the end of the war, she campaigned for equal rights and ensured that the following sentence was included in the Basic Law: “Men and women have equal rights”. It took her several attempts to achieve this, but Elisabeth Selbert refused to give in. A strong woman who achieved great things.
Photo: Manuel Esteban (Shutterstock)
4 Sophie Scholl
Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) is probably one of the most courageous women in German history. Together with her brother, she founded the “White Rose” group, which rebelled against National Socialism – with the help of leaflets. She was sentenced to death by the Nazis for this. To honor the Scholl siblings, many streets, paths, squares and schools in Germany were named after them.
Photo: neftali (Shutterstock)
5 Dorothea Christiane Erxleben
Dorothea Christiane Erxleben (1715-1762) fought to be allowed to study as a woman. And that in the 18th century! Despite her extensive medical knowledge, she was denied access to university, unlike her brother. And so she turned to Frederick the Great. 13 years later, she held her doctorate in her hands. As a woman, she had to look after her family on the side. A true power woman!
Unknown author. Via commons.wikimedia.org
6 Helene Lange
Helene Lange (1848-1930), who worked as a teacher in Berlin, was a strong advocate for the education of girls and women. Her intention was to ensure that women no longer had to feel inferior and could become independent of men. She was also particularly courageous, as she lived out her relationship with her partner Gertrud Bäumer openly.
Atelier Elvira. Via commons.wikimedia.org
7 Fanny Lewald
Fanny Lewald (1811-1889) was a writer and one thing above all: independent. And she wanted this for all women. She campaigned strongly against forced marriages. In her youth, she herself had successfully resisted marrying a man she did not love. She also campaigned to make it easier for women to file for divorce. Fanny Lewald financed herself with her writing. She was a truly emancipated woman in the 19th century! That is why she is still considered one of the pioneers of women’s emancipation today.
© Lazarus Wihl. Via commons.wikimedia.org
8 Alice Schwarzer
Alice Schwarzer (*1942) is also described as the icon of German feminism. She campaigns for equal rights for women and often goes one step further than others. For example, she sued the editor-in-chief of Stern magazine for portraying women as sex objects. She is also a strong advocate for the legalization and against the taboo of abortion. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the feminist magazine Emma. A woman who makes a difference.
Manfred Werner. Via commons.wikimedia.org