Działalność społeczna kobiet w Piotrkowie w świetle „Kroniki Piotrkowskiej” 1910–1914

Social women activity in Piotrków limited, at first, to philanthropy and concerned around the Christian Charitable Institution. Not before the year 1906 mutual-aid societies came into existence. Their aim was to stand up for better conditions as well as for development in cultural and educational spheres. At the beginning of the 20th century in nearly all associations women performed an important part. They took care of The Charitable Institutions, the Poor Relief Department, which existed by the School Help Institution, they organized Sunday’s talks for poor children as well as helped poor families at their homes. Moreover, women were generally responsible for artistic settings of rejoicings and balls as well as for contributions for a charitable purpose. Active women’s work also evinced inartistic life of Piotrków. In 1910 Stefania Babicka, a famous pianist in Piotrków, became the chairwoman of the Musical Institution. She significantly contributed to the dissemination of the knowledge of Polish music. Helena Ottowa, a woman who was very respected by lovers of drama, was occupied in running the dramatic section. The intellectuals occurred to be the most active group as far as the organization of public life was concerned at the beginning of the 20th century. Women who were socially active in the town of Piotrków came mainly from the group of the intellectuals.