Women have now taken over Bergisch Gladbach, traditionally known as a male-dominated city.
In a historic move, the city of Bergisch Gladbach has honoured three significant women from its past as part of the "FrauenOrte NRW" project. Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga (surname yet to be confirmed) have been recognised for their groundbreaking leadership roles at the Zanders company, a prominent paper manufacturer in the region.
The honouring ceremony took place at Villa Zanders on Friday, 12 September, during a reception. Dr. Ulrich Soenius, the director of the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne, proposed the project with the aim of bringing these Bergisch Gladbach entrepreneurs back into the public consciousness and highlighting the role of companies in history.
Julie Zanders (1804 - 1869) led the company from 1831 to 1836 alone, and later with her son Carl Richard until her death. She purchased the Gohrsmühle, which remained the company's main headquarters until its end. Maria Zanders (1839 - 1904) led the company alone from 1870, and is associated with its expansion through acquisitions and modernization. She initiated the construction of Villa Zanders and was a patron of the arts. Olga Zanders (1872-1946) managed the company from 1915 to 1929 and survived both World War I and the depression of the 1920s. She established a wedding grant for employees' children.
Judith Klaßen, the city of Bergisch Gladbach's equal opportunities officer, emphasised that the women were pioneers who decided to take over the leadership of the Zanders company at a time when this was not common. She is also involved in the "FrauenOrte NRW" project.
The project aims to honour 57 women personalities from over ten centuries and all regions of North Rhine-Westphalia by the end of 2025 at 52 locations. Information boards are used to make the history of the honoured women visible and to honour their achievements.
Tatjana Countess von Spee, born Zanders, represents the family in the board of the Zanders - Paper Historical Collection Foundation and is the chairwoman of the Altenberger Dom Association founded by Maria Zanders. 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.
Mayor Frank Stein praised the life's work of the three women, stating that their actions secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years. The women Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga Zanders have been honoured with a memorial plaque by the Women's Council NRW e.V. for their contributions to the paper manufacturer Zanders.
The "FrauenOrte NRW" project honours women in various fields, including educators, politicians, millers, painters, resistance fighters, scientists, church women, and war reporters. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of Women's Council NRW e.V., stated that the project aims to correct the distorted perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
The Zanders Paper Historical Collection Foundation is associated with the "FrauenOrte NRW" project in Bergisch Gladbach. The city now has a women's site as part of the initiative. Dr. Ulrich Soenius placed the project under the umbrella of the NRW Women's Council.
This initiative not only acknowledges the accomplishments of these remarkable women but also serves as a reminder of the significant role women have played in shaping the history of Bergisch Gladbach and North Rhine-Westphalia as a whole.
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