Jewish women activity in the Lithuanian women's movement in the first half of the 20th century

Abstract

Jewish women activity in the Lithuanian women's movement has never been investigated. This article provides a brief overview of the most important aspects of their activities in restoring the State of Lithuania and actively joining its activities in the inter-war period. In the end of 1919, the Women's Circle to Aid the Solders was established, and Jewish women were active in its activities. The participants of the women's circles were awarded the medals of the 10th anniversary of the Lithuanian Independence for their activities. The women established and actively worked in the Lithuanian Women Committee to Protect the Homeland as a response to the call-back of the Chief Defence Committee. After the Independence fights, during the period of the democratic Lithuanian state (1920-1926), the Jewish womenactively took part in the self-governing institutions. Especially active were the Jewish socialist labourists and Jewish laboursits' groups. This activity diminished during the period of the authoritarian regime (1926-1940).