Born: 1844
Died: 1913
Biography:
Katarina Milovuk (1844–1913) was a Serbian educator and women’s rights activist. She is best known for her pioneering work in establishing the first institution of higher learning for women in Serbia, as well as founding the first women’s organization in the country. Milovuk’s tireless efforts to improve women’s education and advocate for women’s rights have left a lasting impact on Serbian society.
Born in 1844, Milovuk grew up in a time when women’s education was not a priority in Serbia. However, she was fortunate enough to receive a good education herself, which ignited her passion for promoting women’s education. In 1863, she was appointed as the director of the newly founded Women’s Grandes écoles in Belgrade, which was the first higher learning institution open to women in Serbia.
Under Milovuk’s leadership, the Women’s Grandes écoles expanded its curriculum and became a prestigious institution for female education. Initially offering a three-year program, it gradually extended to four years in 1866, five years in 1879, and eventually six years in 1886. The main focus of the institution was to train female teachers for the national school system, reflecting the belief that educated women would make suitable intellectual partners and mother-teachers for their husbands.
In addition to her work in education, Milovuk was also a passionate advocate for women’s rights. In 1875, she founded the Women’s Society of Belgrade, the first women’s organization in Serbia. This organization would go on to play a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights and providing assistance to underprivileged women and children, particularly war orphans. The Women’s Society of Belgrade remained the leading women’s organization in Serbia until the establishment of the Circle of Serbian Sisters in 1903.
Milovuk’s fight for women’s suffrage was another significant aspect of her activism. In 1897, she applied to be enrolled in the voters’ register but was denied. Undeterred, she lodged an official complaint, which was unfortunately rejected at the lower court. However, in 1903, she wrote a letter to the Serbian King Alexander, urging for at least the passive right to vote for women. She argued that the right to choose and take responsibility for that choice was a fundamental human right that should be extended to women.
While Katarina Milovuk faced numerous challenges and obstacles in her efforts to advance women’s rights in Serbia, her dedication and perseverance never wavered. In 1913, she made her final public appearance at the International Woman Suffrage Alliance congress in Budapest, less than two months before her death.
Today, Katarina Milovuk is remembered as a trailblazer and a champion for women’s rights in Serbia. Her contributions to women’s education and advocacy have had a profound and lasting impact on Serbian society. Her legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations and a testament to the power of education and gender equality.