Born: 1893 (Arras, Pas-de-Calais)
Died: 1983 (Paris)
Biography:
Louise Weiss (25 January 1893 – 26 May 1983) was a French author, journalist, feminist, and European politician. Born in Arras, Pas-de-Calais, she came from a cosmopolitan family with roots in Alsace. Her father, Paul Louis Weiss, was a distinguished Alsatian mining engineer, and her mother, Jeanne Félicie Javal, had Jewish ancestry from the small town of Seppois-le-Bas. Louise grew up in Paris with five siblings and, against her family’s wishes, pursued a career in teaching. She later became a renowned figure in French politics and women’s rights.
During World War I, Weiss worked as a war nurse and even founded a hospital in the Côtes-du-Nord. Her experiences during the war instilled in her a strong sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making a difference. Following the war, she became the publisher of the magazine, L’Europe nouvelle, from 1918 to 1934. As the publisher, she played a vital role in shaping public opinion and promoting progressive ideas in Europe.
In the 1930s, Weiss dedicated herself to the cause of women’s suffrage, advocating for the equal rights of women in France. Her efforts eventually led to her running for French parliamentary elections in 1936. Despite facing resistance and prejudice, particularly in the male-dominated political arena, Weiss continued to fight for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
When World War II erupted, Weiss joined the French Resistance and played an active role in the underground resistance movement. She claimed to be a member of the Patriam Recuperare network, although some members denied her involvement. In 1942, she became the chief editor of the secret magazine, Nouvelle République, which operated clandestinely until 1944, disseminating anti-Nazi propaganda and rallying support for the resistance.
After the war, Weiss founded the Institute for Polemology, a research organization focusing on war and conflict, in collaboration with Gaston Bouthoul. She developed a particular interest in understanding the root causes of war and worked tirelessly to promote peace and understanding between nations. Her extensive travels to countries such as the Middle East, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Africa allowed her to gain firsthand knowledge of different cultures and perspectives.
In her later years, Weiss pursued a career in journalism, contributing to various publications and documenting her travels through documentary films and written accounts. She also made two unsuccessful attempts to be admitted to the Académie Française in 1975, demonstrating her desire for recognition and acknowledgment of her contributions to French literature and society.
In 1979, Weiss’s remarkable journey led her to become a Member of the European Parliament for the Gaullist Party. She used her position to advocate for European integration and the promotion of human rights and women’s equality on a larger scale. Her ardent belief in the importance of a united Europe and her dedication to social progress made her an influential figure in European politics.
Louise Weiss passed away on 26 May 1983 in Paris, leaving behind a legacy of activism, writing, and political leadership. Her tireless efforts to fight for women’s rights, social justice, and peace have solidified her place in history as a trailblazer and inspiration for future generations striving for a more equitable and harmonious world.