The feminist movement in Greece and its contribution to the development of girls’ Physical Education, end of the 19th to the early 20th century

Abstract

The 19^th century century is characterized by the appearance of a progressive and reformative movement, that of feminism. Operating through collective efforts of women, feminism aims for the reduction and elimination of any form of racial discrimination, the legal empowerment of women and discussion of social issues concerning women. This voluminous social movement for the liberation of women directly affects education, as the issue of women’s education is gradually brought into the spotlight. The attempt to promote the exercise of females, during a time when the role of the woman was thought to be limited to domestic affairs, due to the impact their gender has on their emotional, cognitive, physical and social functions, is also considered part of the effort. The movement for feminism was expressed through publications as well as the rising of female-centered organizations. Through columns published as part of the newspaper “Ephimeris ton Kyrion” (Women’s newspaper) and “Hellinis” (The Greek Woman), the importance of exercise is further underlined due to its impact on biological, ethnical and social levels. In the meantime, initiative of women’s organization such as -and most notably- the founding of the first school for candidate female gymnastics teachers in the department of the Greek Women’s Union in 1897, can be considered an example of the decisive and collective social intervention of women in the field of bodily exercise for girls.