Women now dominate the city of Bergisch Gladbach
In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, a historic moment was celebrated on Friday, 12 September, as a memorial plaque was inaugurated at Villa Zanders in honour of three remarkable women who played pivotal roles in the paper manufacturing industry. Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga Zanders, who led the company Zanders from the mid-19th century to the 1920s, were honoured for their significant contributions to the paper manufacturer over two centuries. Maria Zanders, who initiated the construction of Villa Zanders in 1873 or 1874, was a cultural patron and led the company alone after the early death of her husband Carl Richard. She expanded and modernized the company through acquisitions and managed it alone from 1870. Julie Zanders, her mother, led the company from 1831 to 1836 and again from 1857 until her death. She purchased the Gohrsmühle, which became the company's main headquarters. Olga Zanders managed the company from 1915 to 1929 and survived both World War I and the depression of the 1920s. She founded a marriage grant for the children of Zanders employees. The memorial plaque ceremony was part of the "FrauenOrte NRW" project, an initiative by the Women's Council NRW e.V. 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, Refugees and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Dr. Ulrich Soenius, director of the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne, played a key role in placing the Zanders women under the umbrella of the "FrauenOrte NRW" project. He emphasised the importance of recognising the achievements of these women, who were pioneers in managing a company at a time when this was not usual for women. Mayor Frank Stein paid tribute to the life's work of the three Zanders women, stating that without them, there would be neither the Zanders area nor the long tradition of the paper city of Bergisch Gladbach. Judith Klaßen, the equal opportunities officer of the city, emphasised that the Zanders women secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years. Tatjana Countess von Spee, born Zanders, as a representative of the family, praised the immense and extraordinary merits of the three entrepreneurs for the paper factory and the social and cultural life of the region. Dr. Ina Dinter, director of the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, emphasised 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. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of Women's Council NRW e.V., explained the goal of the project: to correct the skewed perception that women have not made significant contributions to history. The "FrauenOrte NRW" project is not limited to a specific time period or profession, including educators, politicians, millers, painters, resistance fighters, scientists, churchwomen, and war reporters. The Zanders women are among the women being honoured by the "FrauenOrte NRW" project, which aims to make the history of outstanding female personalities visible and honour their achievements. The project is a testament to the incredible impact these women had on their community and serves as a reminder of their enduring legacy.
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