Karen Hagemann's 'Vergessene Soldatinnen' Rewrites Women's Military History
Historian Karen Hagemann has published 'Vergessene Soldatinnen' (Forgotten Female Soldiers), a foundational work examining women's roles in European militaries from the 17th century to the present. Hagemann, a German-American gender researcher, argues that war has never been possible without female participation, yet this history remains largely unexplored. In West Germany, women were barred from military service until a 2000 court ruling. The book challenges the traditional association of women with nursing roles, documenting their diverse contributions across centuries. Hagemann deliberately uses the term 'Soldatinnen' to reclaim women's agency in military contexts.
Key facts
- Karen Hagemann is a German-American historian and gender researcher.
- 'Vergessene Soldatinnen' covers women's roles in European militaries from the 17th century to the present.
- Women were excluded from military service in West Germany until a 2000 court ruling.
- Hagemann argues that war has historically been impossible without female participation.
- The book challenges the stereotype of women only serving as nurses.
- Hagemann uses the term 'Soldatinnen' deliberately to highlight women's agency.
- The work is described as a foundational text on the subject.
- The interview was published by der Freitag.
Entities
Artists
- Karen Hagemann
Institutions
- der Freitag
Locations
- Germany
- Europe