Friederike Zeileis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friederike Zeileis
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| Born |
Friederike Mautner von Markhof
20 December 1872 Großjedlersdorf, Austria-Hungary
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| Died | 1954 (aged 81–82) Gallspach, Austria
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| Other names | Friederike Mautner Markhof-Zeileis, Fritzi Mautner Markhof, Friederike Mekler von Traunwies, Friederike Mekler von Traunweis Zeileis |
| Occupation | women's rights activist, settlement worker |
| Years active | 1901–1932 |
| Spouse(s) | Valentin Zeileis |
| Relatives | Adolf Ignaz Mautner von Markhof (grandfather) |
| Family | Mautner Markhof |
Friederike Zeileis (born December 20, 1872 – died 1954) was an important Austrian activist. She worked for women's rights and helped start the International Women's Suffrage Alliance. This group worked to get women the right to vote. She also helped create and run the Vienna Settlement Movement, which aimed to help people in need. She was part of its board from 1901 to 1932.
Early Life and Family
Friederike Mautner von Markhof, often called "Fritzi," was born on December 20, 1872. Her birthplace was Großjedlersdorf, a village near Vienna, in what was then Austria-Hungary. Her parents were Karoline "Charlotte" (née Biehler) and Georg Heinrich Mautner von Markhof.
Her family, the Mautner Markhof, came from Smiřice in Bohemia. They were famous for their brewing business. Friederike's grandfather, Adolf Ignaz Mautner von Markhof, was even knighted. This was because he developed a new way to make compressed yeast for baking.
Her father made the brewery even bigger. It became one of the largest distilleries in Europe. Friederike grew up in a very wealthy Jewish family. They were known for helping others as much as for their successful businesses.
On June 21, 1894, she married Luther (Dr. Ludwig) Mekler von Traunwies. He worked for the Lower Austrian Financial Ministry. Sadly, he passed away on September 2, 1901.
Working for Change
In 1901, Friederike Mekler von Traunwies joined with other women to start the Vienna Settlement Society. This group was inspired by similar projects in London. Its goal was to help poor families. They offered a kindergarten, meals, medical help, and fun evenings for children and parents.
By 1903, Friederike was the president of the Vienna Settlement Society. She held this important role for four years. In 1904, she went to the 2nd Conference of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance in Berlin. This meeting helped organize the group, and Friederike became one of its founding members.
In 1905, she married Valentin Zeileis. He had a young son named Friedrich G. Zeileis. The new family moved into an apartment in Vienna. Friederike became very close with her step-son. Her family connections also helped Valentin with his business.
She continued her work for women's right to vote. In 1906, she helped translate for Carrie Chapman Catt during Catt's visit to Vienna. Catt and Aletta Jacobs came to Austria to talk about women's rights with local activists. In 1907, Friederike remained active in the Bund Österreichischer Frauenvereine (Federation of Austrian Women's Organizations). She stepped down as president of the Vienna Settlement Society but became its vice president. She stayed in this role until 1920.
In 1912, Friederike's husband, Valentin, bought Gallspach Castle. He spent eight years traveling between Gallspach and Vienna. During this time, he turned the castle into a health spa. In 1919, a new law said that empty castles could be taken over by the government. So, Valentin and his family moved permanently to Gallspach. Even though she no longer lived in Vienna, Friederike continued to be involved with the settlement society. She served on its board until at least 1932.
Later Life
Friederike Zeileis passed away on May 4, 1954, in Gallspach.
