Kassel Lawyer and Pioneer of Equality

The exhibition “Elisabeth Selbert – A Life for Democracy” focuses on the life and political work of the Kassel lawyer Elisabeth Selbert. At the center is a personality closely connected with the democratic development of Germany and whose influence extends into the Basic Law.

Elisabeth Selbert played an important role in anchoring the equality article in the Basic Law. The exhibition makes this political contribution visible and invites visitors to engage with the historical conditions, political conflicts, and the significance of democratic principles. The focus is not only on a single article of the Basic Law but also on the life journey of a woman who was politically active and advocated for equality.

Insights into Life and Political Work

Visitors will receive a concentrated insight into the biography of Elisabeth Selbert as well as her work as a lawyer and politician. The presentation shows why her commitment to equal rights is still significant today. Particularly in the historical context of the Basic Law, it becomes clear what importance political participation and democratic design hold.

The exhibition takes place at the Archive of the German Women's Movement in Kassel. The archive provides a fitting framework to view Elisabeth Selbert's commitment in the context of the history of the women's movement and political participation. The exhibition is aimed at anyone interested in the history of the city of Kassel, democracy, equality, and the development of the German constitutional state.

What to Expect

• A portrait of Elisabeth Selbert and her life journey
• Information on her political work as a Kassel lawyer
• Insights into her role in the equality regulation of the Basic Law
• A historical examination of democracy and the women's movement

The exhibition thus provides an informative opportunity to engage with a significant Kassel personality and the emergence of a central democratic principle.