postage stamps: Women of German History - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1997 - 100 Pfennig

Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt was born on January 7, 1901 in Frankfurt am Main and died on October 29, 1986 in her hometown. Her parents' home has been influential for her professional training, her basic Christian attitude and her political commitment. After graduating from high school, Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt first made the teacher's exam, following her parents' wish. But then she was able to enforce a degree in law and political science, which she received in 1930 with the assessment examination and the doctorate in law. jur. completed. The emerging National Socialism made them become politically active. In meetings of the German People's Party, which joined them, she participated in the fight against the NSDAP at her father's side. After Hitler's "seizure of power" she had to give up her judicial work and leave the civil service. After 1945, she was involved in democratic construction, first in the Protestant church, then in the CDU, for which she was a member of parliament in the German Bundestag from 1953 to 1969. As Minister for the newly created Ministry of Health and as a Member of Parliament, she has made great contributions to the implementation of equal rights for men and women in the legal system and in everyday politics. It has published pioneering legislative measures on health care and on combating environmental damage. Numerous offices testify to the esteem that extended beyond the party political space. In 1966 she was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. (Text: Prof. Hans-Otto Kleinmann, Konrad Adenauer Foundation e.V., Sankt Augustin)