Pierwsze kobiety na Uniwersytecie Jagiellońskim

Abstract

The question of women’s access to education and, in particular, to universities appeared in the 19th century practically in all European countries. With regard to Polish lands, this problem was particularly highlighted on the territory remaining under the Austrian partition. The policy of loyalism, which was rewarded with certain autonomy after 1867 brought years of stabilization and development to the whole province. Krakow – at this time referred to as the Polish Piedmont, turned into the cultural centre of Poland. This period of autonomy and relative independence allowed the Jagiellonian University to make enormous organizational and educational progress; the number of students increased rapidly and contacts with other universities were established and maintained. Galicia, and especially Krakow became the most desirable place for Polish women to realize their hopes of higher education. The 80-ties of the 19th century saw the campaign organized and performed by the emerging feminist press to enhance women’s access to this ancient Polish Alma Mater. In 1894 fifty four women applied for admission to the University. They based their applications on the provisions of the regulation of the Ministry of Religion and Education dated 1878, which envisaged exceptions and admitted women to studies as visitors. Only after three years of “battle”, in 1897, the Regents of the Jagiellonian University admitted women’s right to study at the Faculty of Philosophy, Medicine, School of Agriculture and the Polish School of Political Sciences. In total, six thousand female-students enrolled at the University between 1897 and 1918. At the beginning of the 20th century women were offered first academic posts at the University (working as assistants). Full gender equality, however, was introduced no sooner than Poland regained independence.