Seven Zurich streets to be dedicated to famous women
By Jan de Boer
With the Women’s Strike in Switzerland now upon us, officials in Zurich have dedicated seven streets in the city to famous women. The aim of the project is to make women more visible in everyday life by providing more information about their achievements.
Zurich to dedicate seven city streets to women
In a statement, city officials in Zurich confirmed that seven streets in the Swiss metropolis have now been dedicated to specific famous women, following the eight streets that were inaugurated in 2020. The streets will have new signs and information boards informing passersby of the women’s achievements. Each board will also provide a QR code, leading those curious to in-depth videos about the seven people selected.
In the video accompanying the announcement, the local council noted that of the 516 streets and squares in Zurich dedicated to famous people, 87 percent of them are named after men. What's more, of the monuments that are dedicated to women, many only recognise them more generally, rather than specific people or achievements - a notable example of this includes the Die Sitzende (the sitting one) near China Garden.
Who are the 7 famous women given street names in Zurich?
Now, seven more streets in Zurich will be retroactively dedicated to famous women. These are:
- Agnesstrasse (Agnes Amberg, 1936-1991): The “best female chef in Switzerland”, with 18 Gault Millau points.
- Elisabethenstrasse (Elisabeth Thommen, 1888-1960): Journalist and women’s rights activist, host of The Hour for Women show on Radio Beromünster.
- Ernastrasse (Erna Yoshida Blenk, 1913-1996): Swiss painter and illustrator.
- Hildastrasse (Abbess Hildegard, approx 828-856): The first abbess of the Fraumünster.
- Idastrasse (Ida Schneider, 1869-1968): Lecturer and co-founder of the Swiss School of Nursing.
- Luisenstrasse (Luise Meyer-Strasser, 1894-1974): Local painter and craftsperson.
- Marienstrasse (Maria Egg-Benes, 1910-2005): First director of the special needs school in Zurich, responsible for the founding of most workshops and homes for those with cognitive disabilities in the city and Canton of Zurich.
For more information about the change, check out the official press release.
Thumb image credit: City of Zurich
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Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016.
While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more