Gabriela Balicka (1867—1962), naukowiec, posłanka Narodowej Demokracji
Gabriela Balicka (1867—1962), an Academic and a National Democracy MP

Summary/Abstract: Gabriela Balicka (family name Iwanowska, 1867—1962), the daughter of Antoni Iwanowski and Sybilla Rosenwerth. After finishing high school in Warsaw, Balicka took up natural science studies at the University of Geneva, where she met Zygmunt Balicki, who established the Association of the Polish Youth. They got married in 1891. Balicka completed botanical studies and gained a doctorate in natural science in 1893. She was one of the first Polish women to acquire university education. She had been actively engaged in academic as well as didactic work until Poland regained independence. A national party MP for the Legislative Parliament (1919—1922) an the next three parliaments one of the prominent activists in the National Organization for Women. Her parliamentary work focused predominantly on education and upbringing issues as well as combating alcoholism. She fought for women’s civil rights; however, Balicka withdrew from the political scene after 1935. During the German occupation she lived in Górka Narodowa near Kraków. She died and was buried in the Rakowicki Cemetery. Balicka broke with stereotypical views of women whose roles were perceived as apolitical and traditional. She was incessantly active on the political scene from 1919 to 1935 as a member of the conservative party. A doctorate in natural science gained in 1893 along with her following academic activity stood as a resounding success, and set her as an outstanding individual against the background of the epoch.

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