Born: 1855 (Lower Avchala, Tiflis, Russian Empire)
Died: 1940
Biography:
Olga Guramishvili-Nikoladze (Georgian: ოლღა გურამიშვილი-ნიკოლაძე, 29 July 1855 – 24 May 1940) was a Georgian biologist and educator. One of the first women to study abroad, she earned a degree in pedagogy and brought advanced teaching methods to Georgia. In 1886, she founded a girls’ school, and later a women’s gymnasium, in Didi Jikhaishi. At the school, she introduced sericulture to the country and taught her students mechanical knitting and weaving. In her later career, she served as the chair of the school board in Poti from 1894 to 1912. She is remembered for her contributions to education and a street in Tbilisi bears her name.
Olga Alexandres asuli Guramishvili was born on 29 July 1855 in Lower Avchala, a northern suburb of Tiflis (known after 1936 as Tbilisi), in the Caucasus Viceroyalty of the Russian Empire. Her parents were Ketevan Tumanishvili and Alexander Guramishvili. Olga was related to the renowned Georgian poet Davit Guramishvili and was a relative and god-daughter of Olga Guramishvili-Chavchavadze, a Georgian literary figure, married to Ilia Chavchavadze.
After completing her secondary education, Guramishvili attended the Tiflis Women’s Gymnasium. With a desire to become an agronomy teacher, she attended biology lectures given by Professor Tarkhnishvili. However, opportunities for women to study at universities were scarce in the Russian Empire at that time. Undeterred, Guramishvili set her sights on studying abroad in Switzerland to further her education.
Although her father was against the idea, her mother encouraged her, and she obtained the passport of Ephrosine Nikoladze, the older sister of Niko Nikoladze, to make her way to Zurich in 1872. Switzerland, during the early 1870s, was a hub for Russian revolutionaries advocating socialist doctrine. As one of the first Georgian women to study abroad, Guramishvili became involved in the student movement and formed connections with other Georgian women students such as Fefo Eliozishvili, Ekaterine Melikishvili, Pelagia Natsvlishvili, Ekaterine Kato and Olympiad Nikoladze, and Mariam Tsereteli.
In 1873, when Giorgi Tsereteli founded the organization known as the უღელი საზოგადოება (Yoke Society), Guramishvili joined as a member. Supported by Sergey Meskhi and Niko Nikoladze, the purpose of the society was for Georgian students abroad to study socialist doctrine with the goal of liberating their homeland and forming a republican state. However, in 1874, the Tsarist regime issued a decree that required women students to leave the University of Zurich and return to their home countries. Guramishvili, instead, left Zurich with Niko and continued her studies at the University of Geneva.
While in Geneva, Guramishvili and others affiliated with the Yoke Society further embraced radical philosophies of the intelligentsia in Western Europe and Russia. Although Niko had romantic intentions, Guramishvili was enjoying her newfound freedom and focused on her studies. Niko eventually left Geneva and got married in Paris.
After completing her studies in Switzerland, Guramishvili returned to Georgia in 1876 and began her teaching career. She took a position at the Tiflis Women’s Gymnasium and introduced advanced teaching methods that she had learned during her time abroad. In 1886, Guramishvili founded a girls’ school in Didi Jikhaishi, and later established a women’s gymnasium there as well. At the school, she taught her students mechanical knitting and weaving and introduced sericulture to the country.
In 1894, Guramishvili was appointed as the chair of the school board in Poti, a position she held until 1912. During her tenure, she continued to make significant contributions to education, implementing progressive teaching practices and advocating for women’s rights in education.
Olga Guramishvili-Nikoladze’s influence extended beyond her work in education. She was a pioneer for women’s rights and played a crucial role in breaking down barriers and societal expectations for Georgian women during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her dedication to advancing education and her active involvement in the student movement contributed to the overall progress of Georgian society.
Olga Guramishvili-Nikoladze passed away on 24 May 1940, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of education and women’s rights. To honor her contributions, a street in Tbilisi bears her name, serving as a reminder of her enduring impact on Georgian society.