Abstract
The problem of the very low participation of women in the power elite in Poland in 1944–1989, and in particular the reasons for this situation, has not been thoroughly researched. The least studied is the issue of the role of women as “gray eminence”, exerting informal influence on decision-making processes. This text presents the profiles of six communist women, whose activity as “gray eminence” finds the greatest confirmation in available sources. Three of them worked in various segments of state power (Julia Bristiger, Maria Wierna, Julia Minc), two in the central party apparatus (Zofia Gomulkowa, Teodora Feder), and one is an example of an influential woman seated in the regional party apparatus of the provincial level (Sara Nomberg-Przytyk). The analysis of these six cases leads to the conclusion that the informal strength of these women in the communist power elite was influenced by the following factors: gained experience, length of party membership, education and skills, and the position of a husband as a party activist or acquaintance among other members of the power elite.
Highlights
The least studied is the issue of the role of women as “gray eminence”, exerting informal influence on decision-making processes
This text presents the profiles of six communist women, whose activity as “gray eminence” finds the greatest confirmation in available sources
Three of them worked in various segments of state power (Julia Bristiger, Maria Wierna, Julia Minc), two in the central party apparatus (Zofia Gomułkowa, Teodora Feder), and one is an example of an influential woman seated in the regional party apparatus of the provincial level (Sara Nomberg-Przytyk)
Summary
Problem bardzo niskiego udziału kobiet w elicie władzy w Polsce w latach 1944–1989, a zwłaszcza przyczyn takiej sytuacji, nie doczekał się jeszcze pogłębionej analizy. Kwestia udziału kobiet w elicie władzy w Polsce w latach 1944–1989 nie doczekała się jak dotąd całościowej analizy. W latach 1945–1956 w sumie 10 kobiet znajdowało się na stanowiskach kierowników wydziałów KC PPR i PZPR lub równorzędnych.
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