Agnes von Zahn-Harnack was a teacher and activist.

 

She enrolled in 1908 as the first female student at Friedrich Wilhelms University (today's Humboldt University Berlin), where she studied philosophy, German studies and English studies until 1912, before earning her doctorate from the University of Greifswald.

 

However, since she was refused admission to examinations as a Berlin student, she completed her doctorate at the University of Greifswald in 1912, before going to teach at a private girls' school in Berlin-Charlottenburg.

 

In 1926, she co-founded the Deutscher Akademikerinnenbund (German Association of Women Academics). After the Nazis came to power, Zahn-Harnack privately taught Jewish children who were officially forbidden to attend school.

 

She co-founded the Berliner Frauenbund 1945 e.V., a group lobbying for equal rights and participation of women in German society, which is still active today.

 

Zahn-Harnack is buried with her husband at Friedhof Berlin-Zehlendorf.

 

Sources:

• Kauperts
• Wikipedia
• Moabit Online