Seminar series: Women and the First World War
Karen Derycke, In Flanders Fields Museum.
‘Women joined the fray’
In the 19th century, feminism was making a great ascent. Women fought for formal equality, the democratisation of education and the right to vote. In 1921 women were allowed to vote for the first time in Belgium. Did the First World War trigger the initiative to achieve political equality between men and women? The talk is centred on the case study of Léonie Keingiaert de Gheluvelt. This noblewoman of the Château of Geluveld, nowadays part of the municipality of Zonnebeke, was hard-hit by the ravages of the First World War. Léonie seemed destined for a life as an unknown noblewoman, but in 1921 she changed the course of history by becoming the first woman to officially assume the office of mayor in Belgium.
- Venue: University of Kent, Canterbury, Keynes Seminar Room 17. Campus map.
- Date: Thursday 5 December 2024
- Time: 6.15pm
The seminar series is presented by In Flanders Fields Museum, Ieper – School of History and the University of Kent in partnership with The Western Front Association.
This is the ninth series of seminars on the history of the First World War, free and open to all. The theme for this series is Women and the First World War.
