The exhibition "Women of Łódź – Initiators" is the first comprehensive presentation of women who, along with the city's development and historical transformations, created new, groundbreaking initiatives.
On the 50th anniversary of its founding and the Year of Women from Lodz Initiators, the Museum of the City of Łódź wishes to restore their rightful place in collective memory. They were trailblazers, demanding a place for women in a world dominated by men. In doing so, they had to overcome existing barriers: stereotypes and legal restrictions.
Some of them were born in Lodz and were an integral part of it their entire lives. Others came to our city, bringing their knowledge and experience. Many of them eventually left the city – for personal reasons or due to the turmoil of history. However, whether they lived here for a lifetime or just a few years – their actions shaped our city.
The exhibition presents the biographies and creative achievements of women from Lodz who initiated, forged new paths, created chang, and created original phenomena, trends, and institutions. Their stories span various areas of social, intellectual and cultural life. Over 120 figures are presented chronologically and divided into four time zones. They reflect the political changes that impacted the situation of women. After the period of the partition of Poland and the rapid development of industrial Lodz, described in the first part of the exhibition, came a time of work and development, but also the continued struggle for women's rights in independent Poland. These processes were interrupted by World War II, which serves as a reference point for the story of the third part of the exhibition. A special place is devoted to the role of women from Lodz in shaping the city after 1945 – this period is covered in the fourth part.
The women’s stories presented at the exhibition are told through objects, documents, works of art and short biographies, which aim to highlight their most significant achievements. Each of the presented women not only represents their era but can also serve as an inspiration for those living today.
The exhibition will be on display at the Museum's headquarters at Ogrodowa 15 until 31 May 2026.
Text: Museum of the City of Łódź
Edit: Jolanta Lechowska-Białecka, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, University of Lodz
