DOBROČINNÝ SPOLEK ČESKÝCH PANÍ A DÍVEK „LUDMILA“ VE VÍDNI
A CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION OF CZECH MADAMS AND LADIES „LUDMILA“ IN VIENNA

Summary/Abstract: In 1885, a women’s association Ludmila was founded to support poor children attending Comenius schools in Vienna. The members and supporters of the association came from all social classes, from high aristocracy to common people, both from Vienna and Bohemian Lands. It included a variety of town councils, monetary institutions, associations and societies. The association itself organised cultural events and trips in order to increase its income. The culmination point of its all-year activity was a Christmas festivity during which all children were presented with cookies, sweet bread, fruits, some also with clothes and shoes. During the year, the association purchased school aids for poor children, selected ones were also granted free lunch. World War I and the disintegration of the monarchy brought about major economic and social changes, among others a strong wave of repatriation and establishment of the České srdce vídeňské [Czech Heart of Vienna], that became a growing competitor for the Ludmila association. A schooling system in Czech language went through a rapid development and growth in pupils’ numbers, which put the association to the position that surpassed its possibilities. After the Annexation of Austria in 1938, the activity of the association stopped, its last chairwoman asked for the deletion from associations’ register in 1941.

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