Women dominate in Bergisch Gladbach
In a significant move towards celebrating the contributions of women, the Women's Council NRW e.V. has honoured three women from Bergisch Gladbach - Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga Zanders - with a memorial plaque. The trio, who led the paper manufacturer Zanders over two centuries, were recognised for their significant impact on the industry and the region.
The 'FrauenOrte NRW' project, which aims to honour outstanding historical female personalities throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, placed the plaque at Villa Zanders during a reception on September 12, 2023. Julie Zanders, the first to lead the company, purchased the Gohrsmühle, which remained the company's main headquarters. She led the company from 1831 to 1836 and again from 1857 until her death in 1869.
Maria Zanders, who led the company alone after her husband's early death in 1870, initiated the construction of Villa Zanders and was a patron of the arts. She managed the company until 1904. Olga Zanders, who took over in 1915, survived both World War I and the depression of the 1920s. She managed the company until 1929 and founded a wedding grant for employees' children.
Mayor Frank Stein paid tribute to the life's work of the three women, stating that their determined actions secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of the Women's Council NRW e.V., explained that the project aims to contribute to equality by correcting the skewed perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
The 'FrauenOrte NRW' project, which was proposed by Dr. Ulrich Soenius, director of the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne, aims to honour 57 women personalities at 52 locations by the end of 2025. The project is funded by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Families, Equality, Flight and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Dr. Ina Dinter, director of the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, emphasized the lasting significance of Maria Zanders' work, stating that she not only acted entrepreneurially but also culturally far into the future, creating a place where art, music, and civic engagement came together. Tatjana Countess von Spee, born Zanders, as a representative of the family in the supervisory board of the Zanders - Paper Historical Collection Foundation, praised the extraordinary merits of the three entrepreneurs for the paper factory and the social and cultural life of the region.
Judith Klaßen, the equal opportunities officer of the city of Bergisch Gladbach, highlighted that the Zanders women were pioneers who took responsibility for leading the company Zanders at a time when this was not common. The 'FrauenOrte NRW' project, she added, highlights the history and achievements of women in various fields, including education, politics, arts, resistance, and science.
The 'FrauenOrte NRW' project in Bergisch Gladbach was initiated by Dr. Ulrich Soénius, Judith Klaßen, and the Stiftung Zanders-Papiergeschichtliche Sammlung. The project seeks to correct the skewed perception that women have not made significant contributions to history, contributing to equality and celebrating the achievements of women throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.
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