Women now dominate the cityscape of Bergisch Gladbach
A remarkable tribute was bestowed upon three women from Bergisch Gladbach, who played significant roles in the paper manufacturing company Zanders over two centuries. The FrauenOrte NRW project, which aims to honour 57 women personalities from various regions and time periods in North Rhine-Westphalia, now includes these remarkable women.
The project, funded by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Families, Equality, Flight and Integration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and under the patronage of the Minister for Equality, Josefine Paul, was proposed by Dr. Ulrich Soenius, director of the Rhine-Westphalian Economic Archive Foundation in Cologne. Dr. Soénius played a key role in placing the project under the umbrella of the Women's Council NRW, along with Judith Klaßen, Bergisch Gladbach's equal opportunities officer.
The three women, Julie Zanders, Maria Zanders, and Olga Zanders, have left an indelible mark on the Zanders company and the region. Julie Zanders, who led the company from 1831 to 1836 and again from 1857 until her death, was the first woman to keep a company afloat and make it independent at a time when this was neither common nor encouraged for women.
Maria Zanders, born in 1839, led the company alone from 1870. She initiated the construction of Villa Zanders in 1873-1874 and was a patron of the arts. Her contributions extended to the restoration of the Simultankirche in the Bergisches Land. Olga Zanders, who managed the company from 1915 to 1929, ensured its survival during World War I and the depression of the 1920s. She also founded a wedding grant for employees' children.
The commemorative information panels about these remarkable women were ceremonially unveiled at Villa Zanders in Bergisch Gladbach on September 12, 2025. Jihane Qotit Zerhouni, board member of Women's Council NRW e.V., stated that the project aims to correct the skewed perception that women have not made significant contributions to history.
Mayor Frank Stein paid tribute to the life's work of the three women, stating that they secured many people's jobs and livelihoods for many years. Dr. Ina Dinter, director of the Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, emphasised the lasting significance of Maria Zanders' work, particularly her creation of a place for art, music, and civic engagement. Tatjana Countess von Spee, born Zanders, as a representative of the family, praised the extraordinary merits of the three entrepreneurs for the paper factory and the social and cultural life of the region.
The FrauenOrte NRW project is a testament to the impact these remarkable women had on their community and their industry. Their stories serve as a reminder of the contributions women have made throughout history and the importance of recognising and celebrating these achievements.
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