Bergisch Gladbach has transformed into a female-dominated location.
In a significant move to bring historical figures back into the public consciousness, the FrauenOrte NRW project has selected three remarkable women from Bergisch Gladbach - Julie, Maria, and Olga Zanders - for special recognition. This project, which aims to highlight the role of companies in history, is funded by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Families, Equality, Flight and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Julie Zanders, who led the company Zanders from 1831 to 1836 and again from 1857, co-leading with her son Carl Richard until her death, was a pioneer who kept the company afloat during a time when this was neither common nor encouraged for women. Her determined action secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years.
Maria Zanders, who led the company alone after her husband's early death in 1870, was responsible for the company's expansion through acquisitions and modernization. She also initiated the construction of Villa Zanders in 1873-1874, a heritage that continues to shape the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders today. Maria was not only an entrepreneur but also a patron of the arts, maintaining contacts with artists and ensuring the founding of the Altenberger-Dom-Verein.
Olga Zanders managed the company from 1915 to 1929, employing around 1500 people. She ensured the company's survival during World War I and the 1920s depression and also established a wedding grant for employees' children.
The Zanders women, who have been selected for a special honour by the Women's Council NRW e.V., will receive a memorial plaque for their significant contributions to the paper manufacturer Zanders over two centuries. The plaque was inaugurated at a reception in Villa Zanders on Friday, 12 September.
The proposal for this project was made by Dr. Ulrich Soenius, director of the Foundation for the Rhineland-Westphalian Economic Archive in Cologne. The project aims to bring these historical women personalities back into public consciousness and highlight the role of companies in history.
In addition to the Zanders women, two other women from Bergisch Gladbach - Ursula Laur and Anna Scheibler - have been honoured as FrauenOrt NRW by the Frauenrat NRW e.V. Their memorial was ceremoniously inaugurated on September 12, 2014, in Bergisch Gladbach.
Without the Zanders women, there would be neither the Zanders area, which shapes the cityscape, nor the long tradition of the paper city of Bergisch Gladbach. Their legacy continues to inspire and shape the region today.
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