Stritt, Marie (1856–1928)

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Stritt, Marie (1856–1928)

German feminist. Born Feb 18, 1856, in Schaessburg, Germany; died Sept 16, 1928, in Dresden, Germany.

Key activist for women's rights in Germany at turn of century, joined Hedwig Kessler's women's group Reform (1891), to promote educational, marital and occupational equality, and became its leader (1895); created 1st legal protection association for women in Dresden (1894); a radical campaigner for women's rights, joined Federation of German Women's Associations, serving as its president (1899–1910); was president of Germain Imperial Suffrage Union (1911–22) and World League for Women's Right to Vote (1913–20), as well as delegate to international congress in Geneva (1899–1921); engaged in dispute with conservative elements of suffragist movement headed by Gertrud Bäumer; was a leader in Helene Stoecker's Association for Sexual Reform and Protection of Mothers; became town councilor for German Democratic Party and pressed for equality in local policies of Dresden (1919–22); became chair of City Federation of Dresden Women's Association (1925).