‘Untold stories of women from Lower Silesia’ at BUWr
Discover ‘Untold stories of women from Lower Silesia’– The Library of the University of Wrocław invites you to a unique lecture in honour of Women’s Day!
Dr Karolina Rybicka, who runs Archiwalny Dolny Śląsk fanpage, will present stories of extraordinary women and talk about their lives, achievements, choices and secrets, which form a fascinating, often forgotten part of regional history.
The keynote speaker is an authoress of numerous titles and popularisation projects that combine reliable archive work with a passion for discovering human stories hidden within the sources.
Pre-war female residents of Lower Silesia made their mark on the history of the region for various reasons. Some of them carried death, using arsenic – their actions at the beginning of the 20th century shook Jelenia Góra and the surrounding area. Ernestine Feige and Pauline Scholz faced trial, were found guilty and sentenced to death.
Other women made history thanks to their talent and exceptional sensitivity. Elfriede Reichelt, one of the first professional photographers to run her own studio in Wrocław, was famous for her ability to capture the personality of her portrait subjects. Some people who posed for her camera included Wilhelm II and his family, Hans Poelzig, Ilse von Richthofen or Toni Neisser.
Margarethe Kauffmann, who came from the influential family of industrialists and was an excellent pianist, married Gustav Born against her family’s will. Two children were born during their short marriage, including a future Nobel Prize winner.
In 1904, Margarethe Hedwig Zueler, born in Chojnów, earned her doctorate from the University of Heidelberg. As a biologist and zoologist, she specialised in the study of protozoa, remaining active in scientific research until the 1930s.
Hettie Dyhrenfurth, formerly Heymann, was a successful tennis player for many years. It was her husband, mountaineer and geologist, Gunter Dyhrenfurth, who awakened her love for the mountains. They took part in expeditions to the Himalayas together in 1930 and 1934.
Why is it worth attending the lecture?
The lecture is a chance to discover the long-forgotten lives of women who shaped the history of Lower Silesia- from scientists, artists and sportswomen to those whose lives took a tragic turn.
It is a story of strength, passion and courage, but also everyday life, emotions and choices which shaped the fate of the region.
The meeting with Dr Karolina Rybicka is not only a history lesson but also an inspiring journey to a world where the past comes alive through words and archives.
The lecture will take place on Friday, 6 March at 4 p.m. in lecture hall number 3, level 0, of the University Library in Wrocław.
Registration is required for the lecture: REGISTRATION LINK
Translated by Matylda Majda (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice..
Date of publication: 26.02.2026
Added by: M.J
