Helene von Mülinen


Helene von Mülinen was a Swiss feminist who is regarded as the founder of the organised Swiss women's suffrage movement. She founded the Swiss women's suffrage movement, Bund Schweizerischer Frauenvereine, in 1900, and served as its first president between 1900 and 1904.

Biography

Mülinen was born in Bern, Switzerland on 27 November 1850. Although her parents prevented her from receiving a formal theological degree, von Mülinen audited lectures at the University of Bern including lectures by Adolf Schlatter and Fritz Barth.
In 1890 Mülinen was hospitalized for treatment for tuberculosis. There she became acquainted with the medical student Emma Pieczynska-Reichenbach. The two became life-long partners, committed to the women's movement.
Mülinen participated in the formation of the Bund Schweizerischer Frauenvereine and served as its president from 1900 through 1904. She also remained on the board through 1920.
Mülinen died on 11 March 1924 in Bern.