Brunhilde Hanke facts for kids

Brunhilde Hanke (born Anweiler) was an important German politician. She was the mayor of Potsdam for many years and also a member of the State Council of East Germany, which was like the country's main leadership group. She was born on March 23, 1930, and passed away on October 13, 2024.

Brunhilde Hanke's Early Life

Brunhilde Hanke was born in Erfurt, Germany, in 1930. She grew up in a family where her parents worked hard.

Learning a Trade

In 1947, Brunhilde finished her training to become a seamstress. This means she learned how to sew clothes for a living. During this time, she joined a group called the Free German Trade Union Federation, which helped workers.

Joining Political Groups

Soon after, she also became a member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). This was the main political party in East Germany. She also joined its youth group, the Free German Youth (FDJ).

Studying in Moscow

From 1951 to 1952, Brunhilde went to Moscow to study at the Komsomol academy. Later, in 1962, she earned a diploma in social sciences. This helped her understand more about how society works.

Brunhilde Hanke's Political Career

Brunhilde Hanke spent many years working in politics. She held several important positions in East Germany.

Working with Youth

From 1952 to 1963, Brunhilde was part of the main council for the Free German Youth (FDJ). This group helped organize activities for young people in East Germany.

Becoming Mayor of Potsdam

In 1961, Brunhilde Hanke became the mayor of Potsdam. This was a very important job, as she was in charge of running the city. She stayed mayor for a long time, until 1984.

Building New Homes

During her time as mayor, Brunhilde Hanke oversaw the building of 37,000 new apartments. Many of these were built in a style called Plattenbau, which used large, pre-made concrete panels. This helped many families find places to live.

Protecting Old Buildings

Brunhilde Hanke also cared about the history of Potsdam. She sometimes disagreed with other leaders in the Socialist Unity Party about keeping and fixing up old, historic buildings in the city. She wanted to make sure these important structures were saved.

National Political Roles

In 1963, Brunhilde Hanke was elected to the Volkskammer. This was like the parliament or main law-making body of East Germany.

Joining the State Council

Then, in 1967, she became a member of the State Council of the GDR. This group was the country's collective head of state, meaning they were the main leaders of East Germany. She stayed a member of both the Volkskammer and the State Council until 1990.

Awards and Recognition

Brunhilde Hanke received special awards for her work. She was given the Patriotic Order of Merit in bronze in 1974. Later, in 1979, she received the same award in silver. These awards recognized her dedication to East Germany.

After German Reunification

After East and West Germany became one country again, Brunhilde Hanke joined a new political party called Die Linke.

Brunhilde Hanke's Passing

Brunhilde Hanke passed away in Potsdam on October 13, 2024. She was 94 years old.