Cristian Réka Mónika, Kérchy Anna (eds)

Pioneer Hungarian Women in Science and Education II


Margit Slachta (1884–1974): Christian Feminism Against Totalitarian Powers

The Kingdom of Hungary was long dominated by a political elite, the upper classes, known as the estates. This was an all-male world, where women very rarely had the chance to have their say, either in social matters or in political decision-making processes. This is why the achievements of the woman who is the focus of this chapter are exceptional and exemplary. Margit Slachta (1884–1974) was the first female member of the Hungarian National Assembly, who entered the house in 1920, representing a rather rare, via media position in a post-war situation of political disaster. That position is best labelled as Christian feminism. Hers was a middle ground in the sense that both radicals and traditionalists were dissatisfied with it. It was certainly too traditionalist for social reformers and the radical critics of the Hungarian part of the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and later, after the elimination of the Habsburg Dual Monarchy, critics of the rising Horthy regime. At the same time, it was also too radical for conservative defenders of the status quo and for most members of the political and Church establishment. This chapter will provide an overview of the achievements as well as the political failures of this Christian feminist, touching upon her theoretical position as well as her practical involvement in the parliamentary give-and-take of her age. After providing a short summary of the main events of her life, it will focus on two major issues: her achievements as an educator and defender of women coming from socially disadvantageous backgrounds, and her lifelong oppositional stance, including her fight against totalitarian rule.

Pioneer Hungarian Women in Science and Education II

Tartalomjegyzék


Kiadó: Akadémiai Kiadó

Online megjelenés éve: 2023

ISBN: 978 963 454 927 7

In this sequel to the first volume of Pioneer Hungarian Women in Science and Education published in 2022, editors Réka M. Cristian and Anna Kérchy present the portraits of twenty-two prominent Hungarian women scholars, scientists and educators who made pioneering contributions to Hungary’s scientific achievement over the centuries. Some of the women introduced in the sixteen chapters come from traditional disciplines such as pharmacy, medicine, historiography, engineering, mathematics, archeology, psychology, and philosophy, while others furthered on fields not necessarily viewed, especially at the time, as science or scholarship proper, but which are nonetheless deeply intellectual, such as physical, special needs, reform, or music education, feminism, and historic preservation. The book offers a bird’s eye view summary of the accomplishments reached and challenges faced by these exceptional Hungarian female academics and intellectuals.

Hivatkozás: https://mersz.hu/cristian-kerchy-pioneer-hungarian-women-in-science-and-education-ii//

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