From a midwife to the first female federal councillor
Overview
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Hint
Intro
This tour takes visitors to the most important places in the history of Bern’s women. Although it features plenty of intelligence, wit and sharp arguments, it is not intended for women alone.
From Bahnhofplatz, Ryffligässchen and Neuengasse to Waisenhausplatz, Zeughausgasse, Kornhausplatz, and Hotelgasse and of course in the Parliament House itself, there are exciting stories about female personalities and their lives hidden on almost every corner - peppered with astonishing facts that will make you feel proud or just cause you to shake your head.
For example, in the old days education was a male preserve. Women belonged in the kitchen and were expected to look after the children. It took until 1900 before education became a right rather than a privilege. That was when compulsory, free, state-run primary schools were established throughout Switzerland. However, differences remained here too: For girls, the focus was primarily on handcrafts and home economics, the intention being to prepare them for running their own household. Unfortunately, despite the major changes in women’s everyday life, even in the 20th century there has not yet been a particularly strong move to rethink and question the female role in society.
Nonetheless, there have always been female pioneers - women who did not simply allow themselves to be pigeonholed and who, in the process, achieved great personal success and played a decisive role in shaping Swiss history. For example, do you know who Anna Seiler is and what she achieved here in Switzerland? Or can you name the first Swiss federal councillor and the political scandal that unfortunately prematurely ended her career? You can find out all this and much more on the stimulating city tour that traces women’s history in Switzerland from the midwife to the first federal councillor.
General information
| Time required |
1-2 hours
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|---|---|
| Suitable for |
Groups
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Group & pricing information
| Language |
French, German
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|---|---|
| Group Size |
1 - 20
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| Further prices (starting from) |
CHF 300.00 per group
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