Emmy Arnold

Emmy Arnold (born Emmy von Hollander; 25 December 1884 - 15 January 1980) was a German intentional community leader and Christian writer. She was the founder of the Bruderhof in 1920 with her husband, Eberhard Arnold.

Early life Emmy von Hollander was born on 25 December 1884 in Riga, Latvia. Her father was a law professor. Their family was German, wealthy, and respected. Following the policy of forced Russification by the Russian Empire, the von Hollanders moved to Germany.

Emmy met Eberhard Arnold in 1907. They were both deeply religious and were impressed by the Anabaptists they witnessed around Halle an der Saale. They were baptized in that tradition and married in December 1909. Inspired by this example, the Arnolds joined with other Christians, including Emmy's sister Else, to found a commune in Sannerz-Schlüchtern, near Fulda. Under the leadership of Emmy and Eberhard, they called their community the Bruderhof. By 1922, the population of the community had reached 40. Emmy played a central role in the nascent community and "functioned as the first among equals" while Eberhard was absent on lecture trips. She became known as the "First Bruderhof". She died on 15 January 1980.