German New Woman

Under the German government of 1933-1945, women were seen as the torchbearers of the world. They needed girls who were in harmony with their bodies, souls, and spirits. Moreover, girls with healthy bodies and balanced minds embodied the beauty of divine creation. The state also wanted to raise girls who believe in Germany and its leaders, and who will pass this belief on to their future children.

For more information about women's behavior's visit Psychology of Women. To avoid the anti-woman individuals, visit Red Flags of White Women. To explore material encouraging fitness and body aesthetics, visit German Nudism.

## Women's Organizations

**Young Girls' League:** For ages 10 to 13. It was under the League of German Girls. The male counterpart was the German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth *(Deutsches Jungvolk).*

**League of German Girls:** For girls between the ages of 14 to 18 were organized within it. It was the female branch of the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) during the time of National Socialism.

**Faith and Beauty Society:** The main goal was to prepare the 17 to 21 year olds for their future roles as wives and mothers, and while the courses offered ranged from fashion design to healthy living, the overall idea was to teach them home economics so that they could properly run their households, cook well for their families, and properly care for their children.

**National Socialist Women's League:** Activities included instruction in the use of German-made products instead of imported ones as part of the self-sufficiency program, and classes for brides and schoolgirls. They also provided refreshments at railway stations, collected scrap metal and other materials, conducted cooking and other classes, and lent help to other families. They published a biweekly magazine, National Socialist Women's Monitor.

**Reich Bride Schools:** The school's training included a variety of household skills such as cooking, ironing, gardening, child care, animal husbandry, singing folk songs, reading, singing, playing games, and inteior design.

## The Ideal Characteristics

The ideal Germanic woman is someone who is athletically built and mentally healthy, ethnically German, and who is heterosexual. A youthful looking face who has the pleasure of being a mother, housewife and caretaker. Physical characteristics include being fair skinned, tall, athletically built, blonde hair, blue eyes, small waist, broad hips and shoulders. For clothing is encouraged to dress conservatively modest and bright aprons and elegant dresses.

Behaviorally, women should understand they are the life line of a society and have a role to play. Women should be encouraged to be wives and mothers, contributing to the growth and preservation of the Germanic race. Women were encouraged to marry while youthful, have multiple children, and dedicate themselves to domestic duties. Education and professional careers should be put aside for fulfilling their biological imperative, as these pursuits would distract them from such duties.

## Prominent Women

* Elsa Bruckmann, wife of Hugo Bruckmann
* Emmy Göring, wife of Hermann Göring
* Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, leader of Deutsches Frauenwerk
* Gertrud von Seidlitz, a German artist and writer
* Gudrun Burwitz, daughter of Heinrich Himmler
* Hanna Reitsch, an aviator and test pilot
* Helene Bechstein, wife of Edwin Bechstein
* Johanna Haarer, a pediatrician and author
* Jutta Rüdiger, an author and journalist
* Leni Riefenstahl, a filmmaker and actres
* Lina Heydrich, wife of Reinhard Heydrich
* Magda Goebbels, wife of Joseph Goebbels
* Margarete Gussow, a German sculptor and artist
* Margarete Himmler, wife of Heinrich Himmler
* Thea von Harbou, author and screenwriter
* Trude Mohr, leader of League of German Girls

## List of Educational Materials

* The German Girl (1933)
* National Socialist Women's Monitor (1932)
* The German Mother and Her First Child (1934)
* Infant Care for Young Girls. A Textbook for Schools (1931)
* Our Little Children (1936)
* Motherhood and Family Care in the New Reich (1937)
* Mother, Tell About Adolf Hitler! (1939)
* Our School Children (1949)
* Big Children, Big Worries: Children in Adolescence (1954)
* Children on the Farm: Their Upbringing in Family and Village Community (1957)