Women nowdominate Bergisch Gladbach
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of Bergisch Gladbach is one of the locations for the FrauenOrte NRW project. This project, aimed at honoring 57 women personalities from over ten centuries and all regions of the state, is a significant initiative to correct the distorted perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
The project, proposed by Dr. Ulrich Soénius, the director of the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne, is part of a larger endeavour known as the Women's Places NRW project. This project seeks to bring historical female entrepreneurs back into public consciousness and highlight the role of companies in history.
The city's equal opportunities officer, Judith Klaßen, emphasized the pioneering spirit of the Zanders women, who took responsibility for leading the Zanders company at a time when this was not common. The Zanders women - Julie, Maria, and Olga - have been honoured with a memorial plaque for their significant contributions to the paper manufacturer Zanders.
Julie Zanders, who led the company from 1831 to 1836 alone, and later jointly with her son Carl Richard, was a trailblazer. During her tenure, she purchased the Gohrsmühle, which remained the company's headquarters until its end. Maria Zanders, who led the company alone from 1870, initiated the construction of Villa Zanders between 1873 and 1874. She was a patron of the arts, maintaining contacts with artists, founding a choir, and establishing the Altenberger-Dom-Verein in 1894. Olga Zanders managed the company from 1915 to 1929, employing around 1500 people. She ensured the survival of Zanders during World War I and the depression of the 1920s and established the wedding grant in 1918.
Mayor Frank Stein paid tribute to the life's work of the three women, stating that their actions secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years. Dr. Ina Dinter, director of the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, emphasized the lasting significance of Maria Zanders' work, stating that she created a place where art, music, and civic engagement came together, and that this heritage continues to shape the museum today.
The memorial plaque was inaugurated at Villa Zanders on Friday, 12 September, in a ceremony that recognised the immense impact these women had on the city and the state. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of Women's Council NRW e.V., explained that the project aims to contribute to equality by correcting the distorted perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
The FrauenOrte NRW project is funded by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Families, Equality, Flight and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is under the patronage of the Minister for Equality, Josefine Paul. As the project continues, it is expected that more women from Bergisch Gladbach and other cities across North Rhine-Westphalia will be honoured for their contributions to history.
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