Ella Negruzzi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ella Negruzzi
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| Born | 9 September 1876 Hermeziu, Romania
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| Died | 19 December 1948 (aged 72) Bucharest, Romania
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| Nationality | Romanian |
| Occupation | attorney |
Ella Negruzzi (1876–1948) was a brave Romanian lawyer and a strong supporter of women's rights. She made history as the first female lawyer in Romania in 1913. Ella also helped start important groups like the Association for the Civil and Political Emancipation of Romanian Women (1917), the Group of Democratic Lawyers (1935), and the Women's Front (1936). These groups worked to make life better for women in Romania.
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Ella's Early Life and Education
Ella Negruzzi was born on September 11, 1876, in a place called Hermeziu, in the Moldavia Region of Romania. She grew up in a family with many famous men. Her father, Leon C. Negruzzi, was a writer. Her uncle, Iacob Negruzzi, was also a writer and led the Romanian Academy twice. Her grandfather, Constantin Negruzzi, was once the mayor of Iași. Her brother, Mihai, became a general in the Romanian army.
Ella went to primary school in Iași. Then, she finished her high school education at the Externatul Girls school. This school is now known as Mihai Eminescu College.
Becoming a Lawyer: A Difficult Path
When Ella was a teenager, her father passed away. Her uncle, Iacob, made sure she and her brother continued their studies. Ella went to the University of Iaşi. There, she studied history, law, and philosophy.
In 1913, Ella tried to become a lawyer. She wanted to take the exam to join the bar (which means becoming a licensed lawyer). But her request was turned down. They said women were not allowed to work in public jobs, especially as lawyers.
Ella did not give up. She moved to Galaţi to try again. A well-known local lawyer, Corneliu Botez, supported her. But she was rejected again.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1917, Ella and other women's rights activists, like Elena Meissner, sent a request to the Senate. They asked for women to have civil and political rights. But this request was also turned down.
The next year, Ella helped start the Association for the Civil and Political Emancipation of Romanian Women. This group wanted women to be able to take part in society. They pushed for women to have access to education, jobs, and the right to vote in politics.
In 1919, Ella tried for the third time to take the lawyer's exam. She applied in Ilfov County in Bucharest. This time, she was finally allowed to take the exam. Six years after her first try, in 1920, Ella Negruzzi became the first woman allowed to practice law in Romania.
Ella's Career and Activism
After becoming a lawyer, Ella Negruzzi started working in Galaţi. Later, she moved her practice to Bucharest. She kept working hard for women's rights. Between the two World Wars, she and Elena Meissner were key leaders of the women's rights association.
Ella wrote many articles. She talked about how women found it hard to get jobs. She also wrote about how women were often the first to be fired if they did find work. She helped set up training schools and worker groups in the countryside. This created more job chances for women.
Working for Political Change
Before Romania adopted its 1923 Constitution of Romania in 1923, Ella worked tirelessly. She wanted women to be recognized as important in politics. Women made some progress, and Ella joined the National Peasants' Party.
In 1929, women were allowed to run for local elections for the first time. Ella ran for office in Bucharest. She became one of the first six women elected to serve on the city council. Other women elected with her included Calypso Botez and Alexandrina Cantacuzino.
Standing Up Against Injustice
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Romania's Constitution changed again in 1932. This change gave women almost equal civil rights as men. However, at the same time, the government tried to limit women's ability to work or get social help.
As the Nazis gained power in Germany, Ella Negruzzi spoke out against war. She was strongly against fascism. In 1935, she helped create the Group of Democratic Lawyers. This group fought against the spread of fascism.
In 1936, Ella founded the Women's Front. This group taught women how to organize and protect their cultural, economic, and political rights. Ella faced threats for defending another woman named Ana Pauker. When King Carol II's rule became a dictatorship, he closed down the women's rights association. Ella had to stop her public work, but she refused to support his unfair policies.
Ella's Legacy
Ella Negruzzi passed away on December 19, 1948, in Bucharest. She is remembered for her very important role in helping women gain their rights in Romania. She paved the way for many women who came after her.
