Wielkopolskie organizacje kobiece u schyłku XIX w. ...
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pracę w swoim gronie, do której kobiety zdążyły się przyzwyczaić i wymagało niekiedy rady
kalnego forsowania argumentów, wymuszało poszerzenie horyzontów. Udział kobiet w prze
strzeni społecznej II Rzeczypospolitej bez pracy rozpoczętej w XIX wieku byłby niemożliwy.
Uświadomienie bowiem, również społeczne czy polityczne, jest procesem, w którym długa dro
ga to nie tylko czas rozwoju kobiety – świadomej obywatelki, lecz i mężczyzny, gotowego, aby
dzielić przestrzeń społeczną z kobietą.
Women’s organizations at the end of the 19th century
and the participation of Polish women in the social life
of the Second Polish Republic
Abstract
When it comes to the activity of women during the times of the Second Republic, there were a lot
of changes. Firstly, a sense of security was gained, which meant that secret self-education, read
ing rooms and libraries were redundant, since the effort of educating in the Polish spirit during
Prussian occupation, mostly made by women, was overtaken by the state. Charitable activity
was enriched with new initiatives, and social life flourished, because it could be led freely in the
free state. Professional associations at plants and companies emerged, in which women also par
ticipated. Women were also welcome in societies established by men. Undoubtedly, the biggest
achievement, the right to vote, was also a challenge, as it made it impossible to work quietly in
limited, female-only circles – an activity women had managed to get used to. This sometimes re
quired radical argumentation, and forced one to stay open minded. Female participation in the
public li fe of the Second Republic would have been impossible without the work that had began
in the 19th century. Raising awareness, both social and political, is a process. Long way is re
quired not only for a woman to become a conscious citizen, but also for a man to become ready
to share the social space.