Strong Woman

On Monday, it will be the same procedure like every year: On the occasion of International Women's Day, every year people talk about diversity, strong women and about equal rights - on this one single day.

The discussion in Germany is often shortened to the question "quota, yes or no". And it is always the same women who are highlighted as shining examples - starting with the (too) few female DAX board members and ending with Chancellor Merkel. None of this does justice to the topic - neither focusing on the same people and functions over and over again, nor focusing attention on one day a year.

There are countless strong women in Germany. Reason enough for me to offer them a stage. Not only on March 8. I will add one strong woman to this post each of the next few weeks. A woman who stands as an example of the important and at least equal contribution women make in all areas and at all levels of our society. Of course, I am also happy to receive suggestions, gladly as a personal message or comment. And in order to have a strong first impact, I will start today by naming five strong German women who stand for many others who, like them, deserve (even) more attention.

Claudia Kessler

As an engineer, Claudia Kessler is one of the first German top managers in aerospace technology. With her foundation dieastronautin.de, she will hopefully soon ensure that the first German woman sets off for research work in space. In the same breath, mention should be made of the two female scientists who have qualified and will hopefully both be able to embark on this research journey: Insa Thiele-Eich (meteorologist) and Suzanna Randall (astrophysicist).

Julia Leeb

With her book "Humanity in Times of Fear - Reportages from Crisis Areas and Revolutions of our World" Julia Leeb has set another exclamation mark. She belongs to the small circle of female photographers, photojournalists and documentary filmmakers who go where no one else goes. Julia Leeb gives a face to the hidden life in war and crisis regions. Reminding, but not unforgiving. Searching for goodness and hope. Really Strong!

Antje Boetius

The Arctic researcher Antje Boetius is a shining example of strong women and scientists who are committed to the future of our planet, especially with her work for climate protection. Also through her numerous research trips and several stays in the Arctic, the professor of the University of Bremen has a clear picture of the changes and knows what she stands works for.

Bettina Heinrichs-Müller

The Catholic Bettina Heinrichs-Müller is a board member of the Diocesan Council of the Archdiocese of Cologne and is a strong spokesperson for change. She pointedly opposes "blind obedience" and demands a rethink from the Cardinal of Cologne. An impressive commitment to changing the Catholic Church from within - proactive, courageous and passionate.

?zlem Türeci

As a scientist and entrepreneur, ?zlem Türeci is somewhat overshadowed by her partner in terms of communication, but as co-founder and medical director of Biontech, she is of outstanding importance in the fight against the Corona pandemic. To list her awards and scientific publications is beyond the scope of this article. What her work means to the health and freedom of all of us can hardly be overstated.

Dunja Hayali

Dunja Hayali is representative of the multitude of top female journalists who make an important contribution to opinion-forming with a sharp mind, an alert spirit and a strong system of values of their own. Uncomfortable, argumentative and sharp-tongued, but equally professional, versatile and passionate. (added on March 15th)

Bibiana Steinhaus

As the first female referee in male-dominated professional soccer (German Bundesliga), Bibiana Steinhaus is a wave breaker and role model for many, not "just" in sport - unreservedly recognized for her undisputed excellence in this difficult task. (added on March 15th)

Gabriele Stein

For decades, Gabriele Stein has been committed to protecting human rights in Germany and far beyond. As spokeswoman of the board of Amnesty International in Germany, she heads an important organization that protects fundamental values of human coexistence. At the same time, she stands as an example of volunteerism out of passion, beyond remuneration. (added on March 22nd)

Alena Buyx

Alena Buyx is the chairwoman of the German Ethics Council, an extremely important institution, especially in the current times. As a long-standing member of numerous organizations and recipient of numerous awards, the professor and institute director of the Technical University of Munich, together with the other members of the gender-parity Ethics Council, ensures that important fundamental values are upheld even in critical situations - a central moral authority for value-based coexistence. (added on March 29th)

Roswitha Warda

Roswitha Warda has made it her task - without being personally affected - to create structures that make life easier for people with a severe handicap. With the association Pfotenpiloten e.V., founded by her, she has established an alliance for assistance dogs. The initiative creates consciousness for the high use of assistance dogs and promotes their employment with secured quality. Roswitha Warda is thus representative of countless people who are committed to making life a little more barrier-free. (added on April 5th)

Karin Beier, Iris Laufenberg and Barbara Mundel

Three of the most important German theaters are already or will soon be in female hands. The artistic directors are thus representative of the many strong women who shape the theater in front of and behind the stage. Karin Beier has been shaping the Hanseatic city's acting landscape for eight years as artistic director of the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg, Iris Laufenberg is the designated first female artistic director of the Deutsches Theater Berlin, and Barbara Mundel is the designated artistic director of the Münchner Kammerspiele. (added on April 15th)

Jutta Kleinschmidt

In 2001, Jutta Kleinschmidt became the first woman to win the "toughest rally in the world," the Dakar Rally, in what was "actually" an inferior car. With countless participations and victories in marathon rally competitions, the physics graduate is one of the world's most successful female motorsport athletes, was Sportswoman of the Year and has been President of the Cross Country Rally Commission at the FIA since 2019. (added on April 19th)

Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard

The biologist and biochemist is an absolutely exceptional scientist. Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard is a Nobel laureate, a philanthropist, a fighter for ethically impeccable behavior, and at the same time recognized and criticized for her way of promoting and demanding attitude towards women in science. She has been recognized with countless awards, including a dozen honorary doctorates, and her work has produced groundbreaking research, particularly in the fields of developmental biology and genetics. (added on April 29th)

Joana Mallwitz

In 2014 youngest General Music Director in Europe, subsequently General Music Director in Nuremberg, 2018 with her debut at the Bavarian State Opera, then Oslo, London, Dresden and 2019 Conductor of the Year. In 2020, Joana Mallwitz became the first woman to be entrusted with an entire performance series at the Salzburg Festival, then this year with her debut at the Vienna State Opera. At only 34 years of age, Joana Mallwitz has made breathtaking progress as a conductor, winning numerous awards and being recognized to the highest degree in Germany and internationally. (added on May 8th)

Sabine Werth

Together with other women from the Berlin Women's Initiative Group, Sabine Werth founded the Berliner Tafel in 1993 as the first institution of its kind in Germany. This provided the impetus for the network of now almost 1,000 Tafeln in Germany. She continues to lead the Berliner Tafel as its chairwoman. Sabine Werth represents tens of thousands of helpers, most of whom work on a voluntary basis to give well over a million people a better life and save hundreds of thousands of tons of food from destruction. (added on May 13th)

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 ...to be continued. I welcome suggestions, gladly as direct message via LinkedIn

A German version of this article is available on my blog: https://www.ehmers-blog.de/2021/starke-frauen/