Chemnitz to honor forgotten women’s rights pioneer Helene Wagner with memorial plaque

Her 1911 speech for women’s suffrage electrified Leipzig. Now, Chemnitz ensures Helene Wagner’s legacy as a fearless advocate for equality won’t be forgotten.

, and Administrator

2025 November 10 . 1:17 PM

1 min read

This image is clicked outside. There is a statue in the middle. There is a woman in the middle. She... — This image is clicked outside. There is a statue in the middle. There is a woman in the middle. She is wearing a jacket. There are trees on the right side. There is a building on the left side.

Chemnitz to honor forgotten women’s rights pioneer Helene Wagner with memorial plaque

Chemnitz is set to honor a trailblazing women's rights pioneer, Helene Wagner, with a memorial plaque. The event, organized by local authorities and women's rights groups, will take place on November 14, 2023, at the SPD Chemnitz office.

Helene Wagner, born in Mittweida in 1870, dedicated her life to fighting for better working conditions, particularly for women. In 1911, she addressed a crowd of 3,000 women in Leipzig, advocating for women's suffrage. Her commitment to equality led her to become the first woman elected to the Saxon People’s Chamber in 1919, and she also served on Chemnitz’s city council.

The 'Frauenorte Sachsen' project, initiated by the Saxon State Women’s Council in 2016, aims to highlight such remarkable women and provide role models for future generations. Wagner's plaque will be the latest addition to this initiative, following the unveiling of Frieda Freise's plaque in November 2022.

The unveiling of Helene Wagner's plaque is open to the public and media representatives are invited. It is expected to serve as a reminder of Wagner's steadfast commitment to women's rights and her legacy in the fight for universal equality. The event is organized by Chemnitz’s Commissioner for Gender Equality, the Saxon State Women’s Council, and the Chemnitz SPD.