Helene Stöcker’s 148th Birthday

Google Dooles 13.11.2017 01:09  Date: November 13, 2017 Women’s rights were hard-won by the women of the early 20th century, and visionaries like Helene Stöcker were at the forefront of the movement. Born in 1869, Helene was the definition of someone whose ideas were ahead of her time. Bucking societal expectations, she was one of the first German women to obtain her doctorate, and in 1893 penned her famous short essay, “The Modern Woman.” In it, Helene describes a woman with the freedom to embrace intellectual and cultural pursuits in addition to love or marriage. In 1905, Helene co-founded The League for the Protection of Mothers and Sexual Reform, continuing her influential writing as the editor of the League’s magazine. For nearly 30 years, she lead the charge with a philosophy she called the New Ethic. Among other things, it advocated for equality for children born out of wedlock, access to contraceptives, and sex education. Helene wrote with passion about a time when women could fully embrace everything life has to offer. As a feminist, she cherished and championed all women, writing that any modern woman would do the same: “After all, she sees in them a common front, a world-conquering future.” Today’s Doodle by artist , drawn in honor of Ms. Stöcker’s 148th birthday, illustrates the common front Helene wrote so passionately about. Here’s to conquering the future, Helene. Early sketches by artist Cynthia Kittler: Location: Tags: , , , ,