When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition can be visited on October 1, 2026, from 3 to 6 PM at the Archive of the German Women's Movement in Kassel.

What is the admission fee?

Admission is free. Donations are welcome.

What can visitors expect?

The exhibition conveys Elisabeth Selbert's biography, her commitment to Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law, and the historical process of equality. Interviews and original sounds are available at a media station.

Where is the exhibition located?

The exhibition is located in the foyer of the Archive of the German Women's Movement, Gottschalkstraße 57, 34127 Kassel.

Are there guided visiting hours?

Guided visiting hours take place on the first Thursday of the month between 3 and 6 PM.

Is the exhibition suitable for educational work?

Yes. The exhibition connects biographical work, democratic history, and cultural education and is particularly suitable for a deeper engagement with women's rights and constitutional history.

Elisabeth Selbert Exhibition Kassel 2026

Name: Elisabeth Selbert - A Life for Democracy
Start: 2026-10-01T15:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-01T18:00:00+02:00
Location: Archiv der deutschen Frauenbewegung

Discovering Elisabeth Selbert: A Life for Democracy

The exhibition at the Archive of the German Women's Movement is dedicated to Elisabeth Selbert, the lawyer, politician, and dedicated pioneer of equality in the Basic Law from Kassel. On October 1, 2026, visitors will gain an impressive insight into a personality whose political work has significantly shaped German democracy.

A Kassel Lawyer with Historical Impact

Elisabeth Selbert was born in 1896 in Kassel and evolved from a trained foreign correspondent to a lawyer and politician. After completing her high school education through self-study, she studied law and political science and later worked as a lawyer. Her biography represents educational advancement, political engagement, and a persistent commitment to women's rights at a time when legal and political spaces were predominantly reserved for men.

The Decisive Sentence in the Basic Law

The focus of the exhibition is Selbert's contribution to the creation of Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law: Men and women are equal. As a member of the Parliamentary Council, she fought against considerable resistance for this clear constitutional formulation. A public campaign, which she co-initiated, mobilized women's organizations, female politicians, and professional associations. On January 18, 1949, the principle of equality was finally unanimously adopted.

Media Station and Historical Work Consideration

Interviews and original sounds at a media station make political contexts, personal spheres of action, and the long process of equality since 1949 comprehensible. The exhibition connects biographical documentation with cultural education and invites visitors to understand democratic history not as an abstract history of institutions but as the result of concrete decisions, conflicts, and societal participation.

Exhibition Atmosphere and Aesthetic Experience

In the foyer of the archive, a concentrated memory space is created: historical evidence, media voices, and the narrative curation lead from Selbert's Kassel life world into the discussions of the Parliamentary Council. The consideration of the work does not focus on painting or sculpture but on documents, language, political arguments, and the visible impact of democratic participation. Thus, history becomes present as a sensibly experienceable space for thought.

Conclusion: Experience the History of Democracy Live

The exhibition conveys expert knowledge about Elisabeth Selbert and at the same time, a compelling art experience of political memory culture. Visitors encounter a personality whose courage, legal precision, and perseverance resonate to this day. Anyone who wants to understand equality, the women's movement, and the history of German democracy up close should definitely visit this exhibition at the Archive of the German Women's Movement.