More Than Max Braun's Wife – A Portrait of Angela Braun-Stratmann (1892–1966)
“We all must learn the European spirit. The idea of being ‘above all else’ is not European, not conducive to peace, understanding, and unity. (…) No nation, no country, no ethnic group, and no single human being is ‘above all else.’ And that is a good thing.”
Source: Braun, Angela: Was ich noch sagen wollte, in: Charme 1948, Nr.
Feminist, Anti-Fascist, Federalist – A European Pioneer from Saarland
By Helene Salzburger, 5 November
This article is part of the “Feminist Federalist Project,” a series by federalist activists exploring the intersection of feminist and federalist ideas.
Angela Braun-Stratmann's Legacy
Angela Braun-Stratmann was a key figure in Saarland’s 20th-century fight for social justice, gender equality, and European unity. As a journalist, Social Democrat, and parliamentarian, she tirelessly advocated for a peaceful Europe beyond nationalist divisions. She believed federalism offered a solution to war, dictatorship, and patriarchal power.
Born in 1892 in Neuss, Angela was raised in a Catholic family with strong political awareness.
Her Vision for Europe
- Rejection of superiority notions among nations or peoples
- Promotion of peace, understanding, and unity across Europe
- Federalism as a framework to prevent conflict and oppression
Angela Braun-Stratmann’s commitment reflected a deep belief in European integration as a way to overcome division and promote justice.
Author’s summary: Angela Braun-Stratmann championed federalism and gender equality as essential to building a peaceful, united Europe beyond nationalist and patriarchal constraints.