Lecture notes from HERLectory Series | Women's economic independence as part of the national revival: the contribution of Hermina Shukhevych

Hermina Shukhevych was a leader of the women's movement in Galicia. 

Hermina Shukhevych was a public figure and a fighter for women's emancipation in late ХІХ and early ХХ century Galicia. She led the women's movement and contributed to the founding of many societies in Lviv. She became one of the key figures in the women's movement in Galicia, emphasizing the national and patriotic aspect of the organizations she led. Thanks to her initiatives, Ukrainian women in Galicia were able to achieve economic independence through their labor. 

Factors that motivated women to engage in entrepreneurial activities:

• Socioeconomic conditions (due to the loss of a family breadwinner or poverty) forced women to take on this role.
• Limited employment opportunities (women could work as maids, sewists, and governesses, which were mainly low-paid professions, while entrepreneurship offered a chance to improve their financial situation);
• Changes in the emancipation movement (the creation of women's societies that defended women's rights and opportunities, opened up new horizons, including education);
• Development of the urban environment and the market economy (active urbanization and industrial development resulted in women's involvement in trade organizations, opening workshops and shops).
• Family business (often wives helped their husbands to trade and inherited family businesses).

Founded by Hermina Shukhevych of the Women's Industrial Union “Trud” (labor, work) in 1900 in Lviv

The “Trud” Union, led by Hermina Shukhevych, aimed to support women by creating workshops, shops, and courses in cutting, sewing, and embroidery, helping them to acquire professional skills and earn a living. However, due to low financial support and indifference to women, the organization faced difficulties in its development. Nevertheless, a tailoring school, workshops, and a shop were opened within a few years. They also purchased a building at 39 Rynok Square, facilitating their activities. During the 24 years of Hermina Shukhevych leadership, the society helped hundreds of women gain education, the necessary skills, and, consequently, the opportunity to earn money and economic independence, as after graduation, women could open their workshops. Every year, its popularity grew, which contributed to a steady increase in the number of trainees. They emphasized the national and patriotic aspect of their activities, as they encouraged Ukrainian girls to enroll in their workshops and created models with elements of Ukrainian ethnic clothing.

A progressive activist of the social movement 

Hermina Shukhevych efforts contributed to the creation and development of important women's organizations, including: 

• "Ruthenian Club", which became the starting point of Hermina's activities, where women were engaged in charity work; 
• Women's Industrial Union “Trud”;
• Society "Pryiut Truda", which served as a dormitory for female students of Trud. 
• "St. Olga's Institute for Girls", where Ukrainian girls from other educational institutions could live;
• "Ruthenian Zakhoronka," a society that took care of children;
• Society of Ukrainian Women Workers "Rannia Zoria", which defended the interests of textile workers;
• “Soiuz Ukrainok”(Union of Ukrainian Women)

These institutions have helped hundreds of women get an education, find jobs, and expand their opportunities in public life.

Hermina Shukhevych became a symbol of women's strength and wisdom, and her legacy is not only the societies she created but also an inspiration for the next generations of Ukrainian women who sought equality and a worthy place in society.

The translation from Ukrainian was created with the help of DeepL.