The first female student in Germany enrolled at the University of Freiburg 125 years ago
Freiburg, 27/02/2025
The University of Freiburg recognizes Johanna Kappes’ outstanding importance as a pioneer for women in science.
On 28 February 1900, Johanna Kappes (1879–1933) became the first woman in the German Empire to gain regular admission to a university, namely the University of Freiburg. She was supported by the women’s movement and the Freiburg local group of the ‘Verein Frauenbildung-Frauenstudium’ (Association for Women’s Education and Studies). Women had previously been denied enrolment. Kappes had persistently campaigned, including with a petition, against the resistance of the university’s senate to be able to study medicine in Freiburg. The Ministry of Justice, Culture and Education finally granted Kappes the right to study – and from then on, all women in the Grand Duchy of Baden.
“Johanna Kappes was an outstanding pioneer for women in science and a shining example of the commitment to fundamental human values,” says Prof. Dr Kerstin Krieglstein, rector of the University of Freiburg. “Keeping the memory of Johanna Kappes and her commitment alive is of great importance to us as the University of Freiburg – especially in today’s world, when values such as equality and diversity are once again coming under pressure worldwide.’”
„Gender equality in academia has come a long way since then, but there is still a long way to go.“
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein
Rector of the University of Freiburg
“Gender equality in academia has come a long way since then, but there is still a long way to go,” emphasises Krieglstein. In Germany, 50.9 per cent of students are women, 42.8 per cent of full-time academic staff are women, and only 28.8 per cent of professors are women (source: Federal Statistical Office). “There is still a lot to be done here,” says Krieglstein. “The goal is parity for professorships as well. Meanwhile, there is a young but rapidly growing trend towards gender equality in university leadership,” says Krieglstein, who took office as the first female rector of the University of Freiburg in 2021. In 2018, only 24 per cent of universities in Germany were headed by women; in 2023, the figure was 42 per cent (source: CHE).
The University of Freiburg supports women in science in a variety of ways, including the coaching programme CORA – Coaching Women for Research and Academia. The proportion of women at the University of Freiburg is 54.4 per cent for students, 47.7 per cent for academic staff and 28.8 per cent for professors.