Born: 24 February 1871, Germany
Died: 13 March 1925
Country most active: Germany
Also known as: Hacheney bei Dortmund
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
She was born in Hacheney, Westphalia, the daughter of Clemens and Elisabeth Dransfeld. After finishing her grammar grades, she studied for entrance into Paderborn, and made a splendid examination.
In 1890, she was appointed teacher in a private school of the Ursuline order of nuns at Werl. In 1905 she became editor of the magazine, The Christian Woman. In 1910 she was elected to the Board of the Catholic Woman’s Association. In 1919, became a member of the National Assembly and then entered the Reichstag. Her literary works include treatises on problems of academic studies for women. Hedwig Dransfeld was a charming and forceful speaker and made many trips to carry her message personally to all parts of the country. The responsibilities of youth, as well as the education of women to true citizenry, were some of her themes. She wrote many articles for the Press, always ready and willing to sacrifice comfort and money to gain her point. In the Reichstag she was distinguished for her support of a pension for war widows and orphans.