A Historic Exhibition: 1919 and Austria's First Female Parliamentarians at the House of Austrian History

This historical feature explores the pivotal moment in 1919 when eight women were elected to the Constituent National Assembly, marking the first time women could vote and hold parliamentary office in Austria. It details the backgrounds and contributions of these pioneering political figures who shaped the new republic.

In 1919, following the establishment of new electoral laws based on universal suffrage for all citizens regardless of gender, Austrian women exercised their right to vote for the first time. The elections held on February 16, 1919, led to the election of eight women to the Constituent National Assembly on March 4, 1919. These pioneering women included Hildegard Burjan from the Christian Social Party, and from the Social Democratic Party, Anna Boschek, Emmy Freundlich, Adelheid Popp, Gabriele Proft, Therese Schlesinger, Amalie Seidel, and Maria Tusch. Their entry into politics was instrumental in the formation and development of the newly established Austrian Republic. The text provides brief biographical details for each of these influential figures, highlighting their roles and affiliations. For instance, Hildegard Burjan was a co-founder of 'Caritas Socialis,' while Anna Boschek was a board member of the Free Trade Unions. Adelheid Popp was a co-founder and head of the "Arbeiterinnen-Zeitung" (Women Workers' Newspaper), and Therese Schlesinger was a member of the SP party executive board who fled to France in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime. Maria Tusch, notably, was the only representative from a federal state. The entry also mentions Olga Rudel-Zeynek, who became the first woman to chair the Federal Council in 1927. The content is authored by Karin M. Schmidlechner and is presented within the 'House of Austrian History' context, emphasizing its significance in understanding Austrian political and social history.

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