The forerunners of modern Swiss society portrayed, who often stemmed from bourgeois backgrounds, are also inspirations for 21st century liberal feminism. From their basic concepts of freedom can be derived a gender policy that’s founded on diversity, rather than rigid stereotypes. Such a model doesn’t confuse equality with ignoring differences between men and women, and aims to secure equal opportunities, rather than identical outcomes.
With a closing pictorial section on women in modern Switzerland, the book extends its reach to the present. Today’s women need role models, just as those of the past. And if ever more women grasp the opportunities now available, that will lead to a more diverse and “livable” Switzerland for everybody – men included.
With portraits of:
Lily Abegg, Ursula Andress ,Verena Conzett, Marie Dentière, Anna-Joséphine Dufour-Onofrio, Regula Engel-Egli , Elisabeth Feller, Augusta Gillabert-Randin, Marthe Gosteli, Marie Grosholtz, Gertrud Haemmerli-Schindler, Marie Heim-Vögtlin, Elise Honegger, Angelika Kauffmann, Emilie Kempin-Spyri, Marion van Laer-Uhlmann, Gertrud Lutz-Fankhauser, Gilberte Montavon, Anna Mürset, Suzanne Necker-Curchod, Iris von Roten, Flora Ruchat-Roncati, Meta von Salis,Heidi Schelbert-Syfrig, Emma Stämpfli-Studer, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Anna Tumarkin,Aline Valangin, Elisabeth von Wetzikon, Pauline Zimmerli-Bäurlin, Else Züblin-Spiller.
