"The past has instilled a sense of accountability within me, a duty that remains unfulfilled"
Sabine Gramlich, a renowned figure in peace and justice movements, has been honoured posthumously with the opening of the Women's Place NRW in her hometown of Gütersloh.
The Women's Place NRW project, initiated by the Women's Council NRW and funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, aims to make the lives of historically significant women visible and inspire women and girls today. The project was officially launched with a mix of music, personal memories, and historical retrospectives.
One of the musical moments came from Dagmar C. Weinert, who interpreted songs about peace for the opening ceremony. One of her chosen songs was "Boundaries" by Dota Kehr, a poignant piece that carries the lyric "I'm checking out, I want a passport where it just says 'Earth resident'."
Sabine Gramlich's life was not confined to the classroom, where she worked as a teacher. She was an active participant in various movements, including the Refugee Council, church women's groups, Amnesty International, the psychiatry department of the LWL clinic, and the peace movement. She was not a passive observer in her activities, often organising rallies, vigils, and demonstrations.
At over seventy years old, Sabine Gramlich participated in street blockades, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her causes. Her stance was clear: "History challenged me to take responsibility, and this is never ending."
Inge Trame, city archivist, outlined some milestones in Gramlich's life during the opening ceremony. She also emphasised that Sabine Gramlich's commitment to peace and justice, and for women to have a strong voice in societal debates, is a commitment and an encouragement for everyone.
Two of Sabine Gramlich's sons, Peter and Rainer, remembered their mother during the ceremony. Rainer thanked the many people who supported his mother, saying "Mother couldn't handle everything alone. Therefore, our thanks go to all her companions and supporters who co-negotiated, co-sat, and co-invented."
The application for the Women's Place NRW in Gütersloh was submitted by Inge Trame, city archivist Julia Kuklik, and Eckhard Müller from the Street Names Working Group. The memorial plaque, installed at the Women's Place NRW, ensures that Sabine Gramlich remains in the cityscape and in our memory.
Claudia Wilbert, Sabine Gramlich's girlfriend and colleague, was also involved in the opening of the Women's Room NRW in Gütersloh. The honour of being an honorary citizen of Gütersloh is a testament to Sabine Gramlich's impact on the city and its community.
In this new space, the legacy of Sabine Gramlich lives on, inspiring future generations to take up the mantle of peace, justice, and women's empowerment.
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