On the trail of the first women's movement in Cologne

To mark International Women's Day, the City of Bocholt's Equal Opportunities Officer, Astrid Schupp, is inviting participants to a themed excursion to Cologne on 19 March. The trip will focus on a visit to the exhibition "Wegbereiterinnen des Wandels" (Women Pioneers of Change") as well as an exchange of ideas among the participants. The event is part of a comprehensive Bocholt action week and requires registration by 16 March.

With this trip, the city of Bocholt is offering an opportunity to explore the roots of modern-day equality and to make new contacts at the same time. The destination of the trip is the Historical Archive with the Rhenish Image Archive in Cologne's Neustadt/Süd district. There, participants can expect a guided tour by curator Dr Daniela Wagner, who will lead them in two groups through the history of the first women's movement. The exhibition spans a broad historical arc from the precursors in 1848 to the high point of the movement in the late 19th century. It documents how women came together to take action against discrimination in family law, a lack of political rights and denied access to education.

"The look back at the achievements of the first women's movement is not only historically exciting, but also provides us with important impulses for current equality work," explains organiser Astrid Schupp, "the exhibition impressively shows us how hard the rights were fought for that we take for granted today."

The focus of the exhibition is on the conditions in Cologne, but at the same time illustrates the national network in the fight against the double standards of the time. The important social commitment of the women's movement during the First World War and in the Weimar Republic is also addressed, before the National Socialists' seizure of power in 1933 put an abrupt end to this development. In addition to historical education, Equal Opportunities Officer Astrid Schupp attaches great importance to social interaction: the programme offers participants sufficient time for networking as well as for an individual visit to Cologne city centre.

The excursion complements the varied programme offered in Bocholt this week around Women's Day. The group will travel together by bus, which will depart from Berliner Platz opposite the Kinodrom at 8.30 am; the return is planned for around 6 pm. The cost of the journey is 20 euros. As places are limited, please register as soon as possible at the following link anny.co/book/fahrt-zum-stadtarchiv-koln.