Hainisch, Marianne

(1839–1936)

   The founder of the Austrian Women’s Movement, dedicated to the cause of equal rights for women, Hainisch called in 1870 for the opening of modern secondary educational institutions (Realgymnasien) to females. She also asked that they have access to university degrees. Her Federation of Austrian Women’s Clubs, established in 1902, had 90 member organizations by 1914. She continued to chair the group until 1918. Following World War I, Hainisch devoted much of her time to the cause of world peace. After Bertha von Suttner died in 1914, Hainisch directed the Peace Commission of the Austrian Women’s Federation. She was also responsible for the introduction of Mother’s Day to Austria, the first of which was observed in 1924. Hainisch was the mother of Michael Hainisch (1858–1940), a moderate German nationalist, who, though representing no party, was president of the First Austrian Republic (1920–1928).