Swarthmore College Peace Collection, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081 USA; 610-328-8557

Helene Stöcker
Papers 1897, 1905-1943, 1969, 1970, 1989

Document Group: DG 035

Provenance:

Donors: Helene Stöcker, George Zueler, Ellen Starr Brinton, and others
Received: 1944, 1952, 1989

Size: 4.1 linear feet (1.33 m.)

Restrictions
: None

Microfilm: None

Finding Aids: Checklist


Historical Introduction

Dr. Helene Stöcker (1869-1943) was born in Elberfeld, Germany. She was one of the first woman students to enter a German University. She also studied at the Universities of Glasgow and Berne, receiving her doctorate in 1901.

Her social activism began in 1902 when she helped found Germany's first woman suffrage organization. Three years later Stöcker was the driving force behind the Bund für Mutterschutz (Protection of Motherhood.) She served as chair of this organization until 1933. The Bund was founded to assist unwed mothers and their children. It ultimately provided a forum for debate on sexuality, contraception and abortion, as well as establishing reform of laws in favor of all mothers and children. Dr. Stöcker was editor and founder of the monthly magazine The New Generation, which she published from 1905 until 1933.

Stöcker was active in the German and international peace movement from the World War I period. She attended the International Congress of Women at The Hague in 1915 and other early congresses of the Women's International League. Stöcker belonged to several other peace organizations including the War Resisters' International , Bund Neues Vaterland (New Fatherland League), Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft (German Peace Society), and the International Peace Bureau. She was an associate of the late Dr. Ludwig Quidde, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1927. Stöcker connected her work in pacifism with the work in sexual reform when Muttershutz added a pacifist plank to their platform calling for their supporters to work for "existing and flourishing life," and against brute force in war and the state.

Dr. Stöcker was driven out of Germany by the Nazis in 1933 and lived for periods in Switzerland, England, and Sweden. Stöcker emigrated to the United States in 1941, under the sponsorship of friends and colleagues in the peace movement, especially those in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She died in 1943 in New York City.

Books and pamphlets Stöcker wrote include: Leibe, Moderne Bevolkerungspolitik, Lieben oder Hassen, Krieg und Altruismus, Verkunder und Verwirklicher, Die Frau und die Heiligkeit des Lebens, Sexualpedagogik, Krieg und Mutterschutz, and Kriegsdienst Verweigerung.

Significant correspondents include: Gertrud Baer, Emily Greene Balch, Mary Beard, Fenner Brockway, Gertrude Bussey, Ruth Gage-Colby, Dorothy Detzer, Lida Gustave Heymann, Dr. Karen Horney, Jessie Wallace Hughan, Alexandra Kollontai, Frederick J. Libby, Lola Maverick Lloyd, A.J. Muste, Tracy D. Mygatt, Mildred Scott Olmsted, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, Ludwig Quidde, Romain Rolland, Margaret Sanger, Rosika Schwimmer, Upton Sinclair, Agnes Smedley, and Bruno Springer.


Scope and Content

Stöcker materials in the Peace Collection came from several sources. The bulk was received after Dr. Stöcker's death from friends in charge of her affairs. A large set of records, chiefly correspondence from 1940 to 1943, between Eva Wiegelmesser, secretary of the Women's International League committee on Refugees and donors of funds to assist Dr. Stoecker was received in April 1952. This was sent by Ellen Starr Brinton. More recent materials consist of photocopies of items from other archives and writings about Stoecker from other donors.

Many of Dr. Stöcker's papers which were amongst belongings left in London, were subsequently destroyed in the bombing of that city during World War II.

The collection at Swarthmore consists of a typed copy of Stöcker's autobiography, her World War I diary, correspondence with friends and colleagues, Journals (1934, 1938-40, and 1942), manuscripts of articles and speeches, biographical materials, some published works, and material about Helene Stöcker.


Checklist

Box 1
I. Swarthmore College Peace Collection Record of Papers and Historical Introduction
II. Chronologies of Stöcker's life and work
III. Autobiography (unfinished)
IV. Kriegtagebuch

Box 2
V. Correspondence (Click here for list of individual names)
A. Personal: 1897, 1906
B. Helene Stöcker to Bruno Springer, Dec. 1916-Feb. 1917
C. Bruno Springer to Helene Stöcker, 1913-1921
Helene Stöcker to Albert Einstein, 1919-1922 (photocopies from Acc. 99A-027)
D. Helene Stöcker to Bruno Springer, Aug. 1926-May 1930
E. Correspondence to/from Sweden, 1939-1940
A-G
H-P
Q-Z
F. Correspondence 1938-1943
Adamic-Aufbau
Bab-Baer
Balabanoff-Barth

Box 3
F. Correspondence 1938-1943 (cont'd)
Baseler-Nationalzeitung-Bellquist
Bergman-Bolin
Bostrand-Bussey
Campaign for World Government-Colby
Columbia-Czechoslovakia
Danziger-Dosenheimer
Edinger-Exiled Writer's Committee
Faber-Fuchs
German-American League for Culture-Gumbel
Haas-Hull
Iarah-Intourist
Jackh-Josten
Kantorowicz-Kubie
Lagerlöf-Lloyd
Loewenfeld-Meitner

Box 4
F. Correspondence 1938-1943 (cont'd)
Meng-Mygatt
The Nation-Nothman
Ochs-Oprecht Verlag
P.E.N.-Philipsborn
Picton-Post War World Council
Quidde, Ludwig
May-Oct. 1939
Nov 1939-Aug. 1940
Sept. 1940-Feb. 1941
Sabor-Schwabe
Schwimmer, Rosika
Shanghai Jewish Chronicle-Spencer Corset Company
Steel-Stöcker, Lisa
Stone-Szanak

Box 5
F. Correspondence 1938-1943 (cont'd)
Tabouis-Tryon
Ucker-Villard
Wachsner-World Women's Party for Equal Rights
Zade-Zuelzer
Unidentified Letters

Box 6
VI. Journals: 1934, 1938-1940, 1942
VII. Manuscripts of Articles and Speeches: 1897, 1906-1908, 1937-1942
A. Article manuscripts, 1897
B. Article manuscripts from Neue Generation, 1906-1908
C. Article manuscripts, 1939-1940
D. Manuscripts of books and article reviews, 1940-1942
E. Article manuscripts, 1937-1942
F. Speeches, 1939, 1941-1942
VIII. Emigration from Germany, Immigration to U.S., Official papers and letters
A. Letters from the German government, 1933, 1937-1938, 1941
B. Letters about U.S. immigration and Reisebericht of 28 March 1941
C. U.S. immigration forms and letters, 1941-1943
D. Swiss and Swedish passports

Box 7
IX. Notes
A. Notes on Neue Generation
B. Notes for autobiography
C. Reading notes
D. Book titles
E. Library cards and forms-London, Stockholm, New York
X. Photographs and diploma (1901 Doctorate, Bern)
XI. Address books (some in alphabetical order)

Box 8
XII. Medical records
A. "Krankheiten, Kuren, Diaetkuren"-list of illnesses, cures, diets, 1875-1941
B. 1941-1942 Diet information and Krankenrechnungen
XIII Financial records
A. Postcheckamt Zürich-checkbook, receipts
B. Bank of America correspondence, 1941-1942
C. U.S. Treasury Department-forms and letter, 1940-1942
D. Manufacturers Trust Company account information, check from Hellmut Simons, 2 March 1942
[XIII?]
XIV. Death: memorial service, newspaper articles, Robinson/Zuelzer letter about Stöcker's papers

Box 9
XV. Stöcker's unpublished works
A. List of books from Verlag der Neuen Generation, New York Public Library list of Stöcker's works
B. Zehn Jahre Mutterschutz, 1915
C. Kriegshefte des Bundes fuer Muttershutz, Berlin, 1915
D. Kriegshefte: "Menschlichkeit," 1916
E. Kriegshefte: 1917
F. Flugschriften des Bundes Neues Vaterland Nr. 2: "Durch zum Rechtsfrieden," 1919
G. Pamphlets, 1921-1923
H. "Sicherund durch militärische Gewalt?" 1924; "Welfriedenskongress u. Weltfrieden," 1924; Verkünder u. Verwirklicher," 1928
I. Pamphlets, 1928-1929
J. "Erotik u. Altruismus, 1934; "Elisabeth Forster-Nietzsche, ein Wort zu ihrem Gedächtnis," Jan. 1936 "Schüle und Leben"
K. Books-Karoline Michaelis: Eine auswahl inrer Briefe, 1912; Liebe (two copies 1925 and 1927)

Box 10
L. Galley copy of "Antimilitaristische Kongresse," 1921; Newspaper articles by Stöcker, 1936-1939 (2 folders)
XVI. Literature about Stöcker
A. 1929-60th birthday press releases and commemorative book
B. 1938-"Helene Stöcker: An Appeal," by H. Picton
C. 1939-1940-Short biographies of Stöcker (German and English)
D. 1939-Speech and poem for Helene Stöcker's 70th birthday celebration
E. Biographical articles written for Stöcker's 70th birthday by Max Barth, Hermann Greid, Ludwig Quidde and others
F. 70th birthday newspaper articles: Swedish, Swiss, Danish, Norwegian, German, German emigre, Dutch, English, French, Chinese
G. 1941 U.S. newspaper articles about Stöcker
H. Obituaries, 1943
I. German newspaper articles and publicity about Stöcker, 1939-1969, 1989
J. Scholarly articles about Stöcker
1. "Dr. Helene Stöcker," from Johanna Wäscher's Wegbereiterder Deutschen Frau, 1931
2. "Helene Stöcker," from hans Wehberg's Die Führer der Deutschen Friedensbewgung(1890-1923)
3. "Helene Stöcker: Sexualreformerin u. Pazifistin," by Ingeborg Richarz-Simons
4. Wuppertaler Biographen, 1970
5. "Helene Stöcker (1869-1943): Leben und Arbeit fur die Gleichstellung der Frau," by Christl Wickert, 1988
6. "Helene Stöcker (1869-1943): Fraunerechtlerin und Soczialreformerin, ihr Leben und Wirken bis zum 1. Weltkrieg," Thesis by Jutta Overath, (HQ 1625.S76 O94 1990a in Oversize Book Collection.)
7. "A Life in Fragments: Helene Stöcker's Lebensabriss," by Regina Braker
K.Bibliography of Stöcker's work (Acc. 89A-74)



Appendix: Correspondents, 1939--1943

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z



A
Adamic, Louis
Allen, Devere
American Freinds Service Committee [ see also: Friends, Society of]
Amerikanische Konsulate (Sweden)
American Reconstruction Force (Levin, Robert A.)
American Writers' League
Anderson-Kotto, Irma*
Anger-Anfanger, Dr.
Anthony, Katherine
Arnstein, Erma
"Aufbau" (Georg, Manfred)

B
Bab, Julius
Baber, Zonia
Baer, Gertrud
Balabanoff, Dr. Angelica
Balch, Emily G.
Baldwin, Roger
Barnes, Mrs. Bernard
Barth, Max
"Baseler Nationalzeitung"
Beard, Mary
Beardsley, Helen M.
Beavers, Helen D.
Beckh, Marianne
Beermann, Gertrud
Bellquist, Prof. Eric and Mrs.
Bergman, Lucy
Bergner, Selma R.
Beth, Prof. Karl
Birth Control Federation of America (Pierson, Richard N., Pres.( [see also: Sanger]
Blake, Katherine Devereux
Boas, Prof Franz
Boenheim, Felix (MD)
Boerner, Wilhelm (MD) and Stephanie
Bolins, DR.*
Bostrand, Elisabet
Brann, Dr. Ludwig
British Consulate General and Embassy, Washington DC
Brockway, Fenner*
Brown, Runham
Buchwald, Hede and Bruno
Brupbacher, Dr.
Bucky, Dr. Gustav
Burger, Otto Julius
Bussey, Gertrude

C
Campaign for World Government (Mygatt, Tracy D.)
Cantigny Printing and Stationery Corp.
Cappel, Else
Chamberlin, William Henry
Children's Court of Conciliation (Lindsey, Henriette B.)
China Aid Council (Shuford, Martha)
"The Christian Century" (Morrison, Charles Clayton, ed.)
colby, Ruth
Columbia University (Williamson, O, Director of Libraries)
"Commonsense"
Cope, Mrs. Walter
Cramer, Clem
Crocker, Grace G.
Crohn, Erika C.
Czechoslovakia, Consulate General (New York)

D
Danziger, Dr. Kurt
Das, Taraknath
Detzer, Dorothey
Deutschberger, Dr. Otto
Doig, Winifred
Dosenheimer, Dr. Elise

E
Edinger, Dora
Edson, Anita Pollitzer
Epstein, Jules
"Equal Rights"
Erickson, Mrs. Frances
Ernst, Dr. Lucy*
Europa-Union (Ritzel, H.G.)
The Exile Writers' Committee (Sherman, Jane)

F
Faber, Mrs. Hirsch-
Fabian, Walter
Falkenstein, Gertrud
Far Eastern Information Service
Farrar & Rinehart, Publishers
Feist, Dr. Henry K.
Felsenthal, Julia
Fiedler, Mrs. Hermann
Fischer, Hedwig
Fox, Johanna
Fried, Hans Ernest
Friedlander, Walter
Friends, Society of
American Friends Service Committee (Poole, Anita; Reynolds, Jean; Schaal, E.A.)
Friends' Centre, Geneva (MacMaster, Gilbert)
Friends Historical Library and Swarthmore College Peace Collection (Brinton, Ellen Starr; Walker, E. Virginia)
Fritz, Mrs. B.H.
Fuchs, Margarete*

G
German American League for Culture (Deutschamerikanischer Kulturverband)
Gibling, Sophie P.
Gilbert, Alice
Goldschmidt, Mrs. Richard
Goldstein, Dr.
Goodman, Lilian
Grauenhoff, Fridel
Graw, Mrs. Gertrude
Grossmann, Kurt R., and Elsa
Gudde, Prof.
Gull, Lily Horber-
Gumbel, Prof.

H
Hass, Elsa de
Hallgarten, Constance
Halliday, Mary
Hannak, Dr. Philippine
Harcourt Brace Co.
Harper & Bros.
Heber, Dr. phil Lily*
Hellner, Kerstin*
Hellstrom, Gustaf*
Henry Visiting Nurse Service
Neymann, Lida Gustava
Hirsch, Erna and Hans G.
Hofbuer, Josef*
Holitscher, Arthur*
Hoover Library on War, Revolution and Peace
Horney, Dr. Karen
Hörup, Ellen (folder also includes letters between Hörup and others)(Acc. 03A-019)
Hughan, Dr. Jessie Wallace
Hull, Hannah Clothier

I
Iarah
India League of America
Internationale Frauenliga fuer Frieden u. Freiheit (SEE Ragaz, Clara)
International Federation of University Women
International Literary Bureau
International Peace Society
International Relief Association [see: "Stoecker's Correspondence with Refugee Agencies, Benefactor and
the WILPF, 1936 -1943")
Intourist

J
Jackh, Prof. Ernest
Jacobi, Walter and Elly
James Jerome Hill Reference Library
Jaraczewski, Margarete
Johnson, W.
Jollowicz, Paul
Josten, Werner

K
Kantorowicz, Alfred
Karoly, Siegbert
Kawarada, Koh
Keenan, C.M.
Kellogg, Paul U.
Kerr, Dr. Mina
Kesser, Dr. Hermann and Marlene
Kobler, Franz and Dora*
Kohn, Prof. Hans
Kollontay, Alexandra
Koster, Dr. Eric
Koster, Henry
Krause, Friedrich
Kubie, Dr. Lawrence S.

L
Lagerlof, Selma*
Landin, Dr. Harold W.
Lang, Joseph
Lampland, Mrs. O.
League of American Writers
Lederer, Dr. Kurt
Lehmann, Dr. Hedwig
Leistikow, Dr. Gunar
Leunbach, J.H.
Lewin, Dr. Ludwig
Libby, Frederick J. [see: National Council for Prevention of War]
Library of Congress (Neuberger, Dr. Otto, Division of Documents)
Ligue International des Droits de l'Homme et de la Democratie Nouvelle
Lloyd, Lola Maverick
Loewenfeld, Dr. Philipp
Lore, Fr. Ludwig
Louisville Courier Journal
Lubitsch, Ernst
Ludwig, Elga and Emil

M
Maeder, Hans
Mayer, Anna and Guste
Meiers, Dr. J.
Meitner, L.*
Meng, Dr. H.
Minerva Booksellers
Minnesota, University of (University Library)
Misar, Olga
Mockrauer, Dr. Franz*
Moffett, Anne E.
Monroe, Bertha H.
Moos, Mrs.
Morgenthal, M.
muste, A.J.
Myers, Agnes W.
Mygatt, Tracy D. [see: Campaign for World Government]

N
"Nation" (Kirchweg, Freda, ed)
National Council for Prevention of War [see: Libby]
Neisser, Charlotte S.*
"Neue Zurcher Zeitung"*
The New School of Social Research
New York Public Library
Nippon Yusen Kaisya Line
Nordisk Resebureau
Nothmann, Rudolf

O
Ochs, Mrs.
Olmstead, Mildred Scott
Oprecht Verlag, Zurich*

P
P.E.N. (Beatty, Bessie; Bjorkman, Dr. Carl; Goffin, Robert; Hellstrom, Gustaf; Ould, Hermon)
Park, Alice
Peterson, Medora G.
Pethick-Lawrence, Mrs.
Philipsborn, Dr. A and Mrs.
Picton, Harold and Werner Picton-Lane
Pinner, Gertrude
Pohl, Prof. Robert
Pollaczek, Marianne
Pollag, Edith
Pollock, Frederick
Post War World Council (Hillyer, Mary W.)

Q
Quidde, Ludwig
May - October 1939
November 1939 - August 1940
September 1940 - February 1941

R
Ragaz, Clara and Leonhard*
Randall, John Herman and Mercedes M.
Rathbone, Dr. Eleanor
Reiff, Lily
Reinhold, Elsa
Reisner, Dr. Konrad
Reynolds, Jean
Rhoads, Grace
Riese, Dr.Hertha*
Riley, Thomas A.
Ritter-Hahn, Nette
Ritz, Dorothy E.
Robinson, Caroline Hadley
Rolland, Romain
Rose, Alfred
Rosenberg, Tilly
Rosenfeld, Dr. Kurt
Rosenthal, Mae Israel
Rothenberg, Ilse
Rotten, Elisabeth
Russel, Alys
Ruyssen, Prof. Theodore

S
Sabor, Grace K.
Saenger, Dr. L
Salomon, Dr. Alice
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Committee for Service to Emigres
Sandegren, Dr. Bertha*
Sanger, Margaret
Saturday Review of Literature
Sayre, John Nevin
Scandiave, Peter
Schaal, E.A.
Schoenhof's Book Co.
Schmidt, Andre
Schmidt, Mrs. Carl
Schmitz, Adele*
Schutz, Dr. W.
Schwabe, Henriette
Schwimmer, Rosika
Shanghai Jewish Chronicle
Shridharani, Dr.
Simons, Hanny*
Simons, Hans
Sinclair, Upton
Smeaton, B. H.
Smedley, Agnes
Smirnow, Consul
Solenberger, Mrs. Edwin D.
Solzbacher, Dr. Wilhelm
Spencer Corset Company
Springer, Bruno
Steel, Edith J.
Steenhof, Frieda*
Stern, Dr. Dora
Stern, Else von Perstein and Dr. Fritz
Sternfeld, W.
Sternfhoff, Frieda*
Stoecker, Lisa
Stone, Hannah M, MD
Storkama Agence Literaire
Stroem, Frederik*
Strus, Felix
Sumner Boyd, Mary
Sveriges Riksbank
Swarthmore College Peace Collection
Szanik, Mrs. M. Andre

T
Tabouis, Genevieve
Taferwohn, Susy*
Thein, Alfred
Thony Pfister, W.*
Thomas, Dr. W.
Tillich, Dr. Paul
Die Tribune
Tryon, Gertrude

U
Ucker, Paul
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Consulate General, New York
G. Heifetz, USSR Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign countries
L. Kislova, Chief, Anglo-American Dept.
Universal Distributors
Utley, Freda

V
Valentin, Veit*
Victor, Walther
Villard, Oswald Garrison
von Scheltema, Adama*

W
Wachsner, Franz
Walling, Mrs. W. English
Wehberg, Hans*
Weinberg, Ella
Wendriner, Hans Georg and Ilse
Westminster Bank
Wibaut, M.*
Wilcox, Jean M.
Windesheim, Dr. Ernst
Winsor, Mary
Womrath Bookshops
World Women's Party for Equal Rights

Y
Yalle, F.

Z
Zade, Beatrice*
Zucker, Helmut and Lise
Zuelzer, Dr. and Mrs.*
____________________________________



* Letters from these correspondents are also filed in "Letters to and from Sweden, 1939 - 1940"



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