Ada Lessing

Ada Lessing (16 February 1883 in Hanover - 10 November 1953 in Hameln) was a German and Czechoslovak journalist and politician who was a pioneer in the field of German adult education. She, with her husband Theodor Lessing, founded the first adult education center in Hanover, of which she became the first chief administrator.

Life and career Ada Lessing was born Adele Minna Abbenthern on February 16, 1883, the eldest of three children. Her father, Bodo Abbenthern, was a businessman. Ada grew up in Eilenriede, where her father managed the Bischofshol restaurant and hotel.

In 1902, Lessing married 31-year-old Ernst Grote, and moved with him to Kirchrode-Bemerode-Wülferode. 2 years later, in 1904, the two separated, and Lessing moved back in with her parents. In 2006, Volkshochschule Hannover, the adult education center founded and managed by the Lessings, was renamed by the city of Hanover ”Ada und Theodor Lessing Volkshochschule“ in recognition of the Lessings. In 2011, a Stolperstein was placed in front of the Lessings former Hanover home to commemorate them as victims of Nazi terror.