Women's Day in WUL

Discover with us "Untold stories of women from Lower Silesia" - we invite you to a special lecture on the occasion of Women's Day in the Wroclaw University Library!

Dr Karolina Rybicka from the Lower Silesia Archives will present stories of extraordinary women and talk about their fates, achievements, choices and secrets that make up a fascinating, often forgotten part of regional history.

The speaker is the author of numerous articles and popularization projects that combine reliable archival work with a passion for discovering human stories hidden in the historical sources.

Pre-war women residents of Lower Silesia, for various reasons, have made their mark on the history of the region. Some of them brought death by using arsenic — their actions in the early 20th century shocked Jelenia Gora and the surrounding area. Ernestine Feige and Pauline Scholz were brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to death.

Other women went down in history through their talent and exceptional sensitivity. Elfriede Reichelt, one of the first professional photographers to run her own studio in Wroclaw, was renowned for her ability to capture the character of her subjects. Among those photographed were Wilhelm II and his family, Hans Poelzig, Ilse von Richthofen, and Toni Neisser.

Margarethe Kauffmann, born into a family of industrialists and an accomplished pianist, married Gustav Born against her parents' objections. Their short marriage produced two children, including a future Nobel Prize winner.

Margarethe Hedwig Zueler, born in Chojnow, earned her doctorate from the University of Heidelberg in 1904. A biologist and zoologist, she specialized in the study of protozoa, pursuing an active research career until the 1930s.

Hettie Dyhrenfurth, née Heymann, was a successful tennis player for many years. Her love of the mountains was sparked by her husband, the mountaineer and geologist Günter Dyhrenfurth. Together, they participated in expeditions to the Himalayas in 1930 and 1934.

Why is it worth coming to the lecture?

Because it's a chance to discover the forgotten stories of women who shaped the history of Lower Silesia — from scientists, artists, and athletes to those whose lives took a dramatic turn. It's a story of strength, passion, and courage, but also of everyday life, emotions, and choices that shaped the region's fate. Meeting Dr. Karolina Rybicka is not just a history lesson, but also an inspiring journey into a world where the past comes alive through words and archives.

We invite you to the lecture!
Link to registration: https://forms.office.com/e/rkwEpmy17a

6.03.2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Lecture hall No. 3, level 0, Wroclaw University Library