Women now dominate in Bergisch Gladbach
Three Pioneering Women of Bergisch Gladbach Honoured in FrauenOrte NRW Project
In a historic ceremony held at Villa Zanders on Friday, 12 September, the women Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga Zanders were honoured with a memorial plaque by the Women's Council NRW e.V. The three women, who played a pivotal role in the history of the region by leading the Zanders paper manufacturing company through two centuries, have now become part of the FrauenOrte NRW project management.
The project, under the patronage of the Minister for Equality, Josefine Paul, aims to honour 57 female personalities from over ten centuries and all regions of North Rhine-Westphalia by the end of 2025 at 52 locations. The "FrauenOrte NRW" project is funded by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Families, Equality, Refugees and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is under the umbrella of the project of the FrauenRat NRW.
The Zanders women's inclusion in the project was proposed by Dr. Ulrich Soenius, director of the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne. Their contributions to the paper factory and thus to the social and cultural life of the region were highlighted by Tatjana Countess von Spee, a representative of the Zanders family.
Julie Zanders, who resumed sole leadership of the company Zanders in 1857 and co-led it with her son Carl Richard until her death, purchased the Gohrsmühle, which remained the company's main headquarters until its end. Maria Zanders, who led the company alone from 1870 and initiated the construction of Villa Zanders in 1873-1874, also founded the Altenberger-Dom-Verein in 1894, whose purpose was the restoration of the Simultankirche in the Bergisches Land.
Olga Zanders managed the company "Zanders" from 1915 to 1929 and ensured its survival during World War I and the 1920s depression. She also founded the marriage grant in 1918, whereby daughters and sons of Zanders employees received 200 marks upon marriage.
The mayor of Bergisch Gladbach, Frank Stein, paid tribute to the life's work of the three women, emphasizing their pioneering role in a male-dominated industry. Judith Klaßen, Bergisch Gladbach's equal opportunities officer, also emphasized their pioneering role during the inauguration of the plaque.
Dr. Ina Dinter, director of the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, emphasized the lasting impact of Maria Zanders' work on the museum. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of Women's Council NRW e.V., explained the project's goal: to contribute to equality by correcting the skewed perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
With the addition of the Zanders women, Bergisch Gladbach now has a "FrauenOrt", a title given to towns and cities that have a significant history of women's contributions. The "FrauenOrte NRW" project continues to honour outstanding historical women throughout the state, ensuring that their stories are told and their impact is recognised.
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