Johanna Töpfer facts for kids
Johanna Töpfer, born Schrocko (April 3, 1929 – January 7, 1990), was an important politician in East Germany. She was also a top leader in the FDGB, which was the main trade union group for workers in East Germany.
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Johanna Töpfer's Early Life
Johanna Töpfer was born in a place called Schneidemühl in 1929. This area is now part of Poland. In 1945, when she was 16, she started working. Her first job was cleaning train wagons for the Deutsche Reichsbahn (East Germany), which was the national railway company.
Education and Learning
After working as a wagon cleaner, Johanna became a secretary. She worked in the staff department of the railway administration in Leipzig. She was very keen to learn more. So, she went to a teacher training school in Dresden in 1951 and 1952. At the same time, she took classes by mail from the University of Berlin. She studied economics and earned a special degree called Diplom-Wirtschaftlerin in 1955. This means she became a qualified economist. Later, she even earned a doctorate degree from a special academy linked to the main political party.
Her Work in East German Politics
Johanna Töpfer was involved in important groups from a young age. In 1945, she joined the Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB). This group worked to protect the rights of workers. In 1949, she became a member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). This was the leading political party in East Germany.
Leading Roles and Influence
Johanna quickly took on bigger roles. In 1955, she became a deputy director at two FDGB schools. These schools were in Beesenstedt and Grünheide. From 1956 to 1959, she was part of the main board of the FDGB. Later, from 1968 to 1989, she was a member of the FDGB's top leadership group, called the presidium. She also taught at the FDGB college "Fritz Heckert" and became a professor there.
Her influence grew even more in the government. In 1971, she joined the Central Committee of the SED. This was a very powerful group that made big decisions for the country. She stayed a member until 1989. In 1976, Johanna Töpfer also became a member of the Volkskammer. This was the parliament of East Germany, where laws were made.
Later Life
Johanna Töpfer passed away on January 7, 1990.
