Women have always battled to seek their rights both in the political arena and the social status. In their quest in the run for fair treatment, many women have either lost their lives or most of them persevere the struggles of life. In the old days, in the era of the First World War and the Second World War, most of the women relinquished their feministic roles. They tagged along with the other male freedom fighters in a quest to achieve peace and independence to the various city-states and to rise against the then dictators such as Hitler, Mussolini among others who were known for their brutality towards the opposition.
The struggle towards obtains peace and freedom for women did not just begin in a single moment. Kathe Kollwitz was a critical graphic artist that ever lived. She became the first woman to be elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts in 1919. In this position, she strived to work on a variety of woodcuts posters and charcoal drawing. Later she also used the opportunity to inspire other women who participated in “The Weavers’ Revolt.” This step led to her appointment to the Berlin School of Women artist to teach the women in the school. She then later became the core founder of Women’s Art Union, which is an organization based in Berlin.
A mother’s Diary covers Nella’s last recordings of the experiences, which she had during the wartime. From food shortages to German bombing and the participations in the voluntary work. Women activism was a prevalent activity during the past political and social life in the Europe. These wars had a great impact on the gender systems. It made the women realize that they can also stand against the enemies and fight alongside the men and struggle to win the war. Therefore, in return, the men viewed the ladies to deserve fair treatment in the society.
Bibliography
Koonz, Claudia. The Woman Question in Authoritarian Regimes, in Bridenthal et al., eds. Becoming visible, 2006.
Brittain, Vera, Alan Bishop, and Terry Smart. Chronicle of Youth: War Diary, 1913-1917. London: Book Club Associates, 1981.
Kollwitz, Käthe, and Hans Kollwitz. The diary and letters of Kaethe Kollwitz. Evanston, Ill: Northwestern University Press, 1988.
Last, Nella, Richard Broad, and Suzie Fleming. Nella Last's War: A Mother's Diary, 1939-45. London: Sphere, 1983.
