Born: December 13, 1815 (Trebeľovce-Láza, Slovakia)
Biography:
Hermína Karolína Benická Verešová, commonly known as Pálné Veres, was a teacher and feminist from the Slovak Region of the Kingdom of Hungary. Born on December 13, 1815, on her father’s estate in Trebeľovce-Láza, which is now Lučenec, Slovakia, Veres grew up in a family of German-speaking Lutherans. Her father, Pavol Benický, was a Protestant landowner who served as the deputy prefect of Novohradská County. Her mother, Karolina Sturmann, was a teacher and the daughter of a wealthy iron industrialist.
Tragedy struck Veres’s life when her mother died in a cholera epidemic in 1831. She and her sisters moved to their grandfather Sturmann’s estate in Turčok, where Veres continued her studies in his extensive library. Guided by a thirst for knowledge and self-study, Veres developed a strong intellectual foundation during this period of her life.
In pursuit of her education and personal growth, Veres moved to Pest with the help of her aunt. There, she worked diligently to improve her Hungarian language skills and continued her studies. She displayed a keen interest in advocating for women and girls’ education, recognizing the importance of training mothers who could educate their children effectively and raise them to become productive citizens.
Veres’s passion for women’s education led her to organize a conference in 1867, which resulted in the establishment of the Hungarian National Association for Women’s Education. This organization aimed to promote access to education for women and girls in Hungary. Veres assumed the role of president within the Association and dedicated her efforts towards advocating for educational opportunities for women.
In 1868, the Diet of Hungary passed legislation requiring primary schooling for children, but it refused to sanction secondary education for girls. Undeterred by this setback, Veres organized a petition drive to press the legislature on the issue. Unfortunately, the petition failed to bring about the desired change. Calling upon her indomitable spirit, Veres took matters into her own hands.
With the support of the Hungarian National Association for Women’s Education, Veres opened the first secondary school for women in Hungary. She took on the role of director for this groundbreaking institution, providing opportunities for girls to receive a quality education.
Veres’s tireless efforts in advancing women’s education were recognized when she received the Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown. This accolade acknowledged her significant contributions towards empowering women and challenging societal norms that restricted their access to education.
In 1906, a statue honoring Pálné Veres was erected on a street named after her in Budapest. This dedication serves as a testament to her lasting impact on women’s education and her unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers for future generations of women.
Throughout her life, Pálné Veres displayed the qualities of a trailblazer, with her unwavering dedication to women’s education leaving an indelible mark on Hungarian society. Her advocacy work and commitment to challenging societal norms make her an inspirational figure in women’s history.
Awards:
– Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown for her efforts on women’s education.