Throughout her long career – at both municipal and federal level – Luise Albertz (1901–1979), a politician from Oberhausen, showed little interest in the limelight. What mattered to her was something else entirely: the tangible work of politics in the service of her fellow citizens. She was known as the “Kumpeline“ or “Mother Courage of the Ruhr region” – titles that carry the echo of coal dust and reconstruction, of tenacity and outspokenness, but also of care and warmth.
As the first woman to serve as mayor of a major German city, she belonged to a generation of female politicians who had to fight hard to be included in the democratic processes of the Bonn Republic. Undaunted and persistent, she held her ground against sexism, paternalism, prejudice and discrimination – and in doing so, paved the way for subsequent generations of women.
At a time when political leadership all too often collapses into gestures of power and arbitrariness, the name Luise Albertz continues to stand for resilience, integrity and a form of leadership defined by clarity, empathy and responsibility.

Oberhausen-born author Stefanie de Velasco is writing a new play for Theater Oberhausen about this remarkable figure. Artistic director Kathrin Mädler will direct the world premiere, with stage and costume design by Franziska Isensee.