WOMEN IN RUSSIA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2455, 20 March 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

WOMEN IN RUSSIA

The history of the struggle of Russian women' for educational privileges is a story "of alternating success and defeat. Though the majority of Avomen belonging to the upper classes are highly cultivated and brilliant politicians and excellent linguists, their attainments are principally due to advantages of birth, for the-daughters of the nobility pass the yov.rs of their girlhood in the charge of .competent' teachers, or in one of the most excellent schools founded by Catherine the Great for the daughters of the nobility. The Avomen of the middle class do not enjoy the same educational prh'iioges; they -have hud an uphill battle to fight, and have;met with many disheartening failures. Their struggles to enter the universities began as far back as 1861, when a movement Avitli that aim- Avas set on foot, but nothing came of it. Seven years later a society Avas formed by Mine. Condadi, Mile. StassoK, and others, with the object of starting lectures for Avomen in'science, history and philology ; this society presented ail address, signed by many Avomen from all parts of the country, appealing to the rector and professors of the University of St. Petersbury for their help. This was willingly giA r eii; indeed the Avay in Avhkffi the men, both professors and students, have stood by the women in their struggle for a better education is one of the most cheering pages of the Avhole disheartening story. The. leading men te the University of St. Petersburg have willingly given of their best, and for trifling fees. The professors at'Moscow have done likcAvise, and a course of lectures was founded by Professor Yuerzier in 1872, but they Avere closed sixteen years later by order of the Government. Women’s education in Russia has since met with .many turns of fortune. In 1906 the universities ivere granted the right of self-government; they immediately admitted women, and 2000 students ,at once availed themselves of the privilege. Last year, hoAvever, the Avomen received a crushing bIoAV, for they Avere expelled at the Avhim of a new and reactionary Minister of Education. It is satisfactory to learn that the universities of Russia protested against this action, Avitli apparently excellent results, for now Ave hear that the decree has been set aside, .and Avomen may continue their studies as before..