Ottilie Baader

Ottilie Baader (30 May 184724 July 1925) was a German women's rights activist and socialist. In 1900–1908, she was a central agent of the comrades of Germany (Social Democratic Party). Baader was one of the founders of the first trade union organization for women in Germany.

Early life Ottilie Baader was born on 30 May 1847 in Raake (today Raków, Poland). She was the oldest daughter of four children in the family. Her mother died in 1855 and she was raised by her father.

Activism In 1885, Ottilie Baader was one of the founders of the "Association of Berlin Mantle Sewers", the first trade union organization for women in Germany; for this activity, she received her first sentence in prison, which she avoided after Friedrich III issued a general amnesty on his accession to the throne in 1888.

In 1891, Baader was a member of the board of the workers' education school, opened on the initiative of Wilhelm Liebknecht. In September 1900, Baader was chosen as the central agent of the comrades (Zentralvertrauensperson) in Germany. She held this position in Social Democratic Party of Germany voluntary for four years and later the party paid her salary. As a central agent of the women's movement, she had a strong influence on local agents.

In 1908, women were allowed to join the Social Democratic Party and the system of female agents had become superfluous. Baader joined the party as its member and stayed in the Social Democratic Women's Office until its dissolution in 1917.