In commemoration of Else Gores' 80th death anniversary, her memorial stone is redesignated as a "Women's Space" in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, located in Dusseldorf Vennhausen.
A Memorial Honours a Pioneering Woman in Düsseldorf
In the heart of Eller Forest, Düsseldorf, a new memorial stands as a testament to Else Gores, a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to social reform and women's rights. The "FrauenOrt NRW" memorial, part of a broader initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), commemorates women who have made significant contributions to society but have often been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.
Else Gores: A Life of Courage and Resistance
Else Gores (1879–1944) was a pioneering figure associated with Düsseldorf. A social reformer and advocate for women’s rights, her life and tragic death are now recognised as part of the memorial sites in NRW. The memorial in Eller Forest, a district in Düsseldorf with historical connections to her personal life or work, symbolically links memory with place.
Remembrance and Recognition
The memorial serves as a reminder of Else Gores’s contributions to the advancement of women’s rights and social welfare in the region. More broadly, it highlights the importance of remembering women’s often marginalized roles in history, particularly those who resisted injustice during the Nazi era. As a "FrauenOrt," this memorial site contributes to public education and collective memory, encouraging reflection on gender equality, tolerance, and human rights.
By situating the memorial in Eller Forest, the site also integrates nature and contemplation, making it a space for visitors to connect with history on a personal and emotional level.
The Tragic End of Else Gores
Else Gores was arrested on April 11, 1945, and was found dead in the Eller Forest the next day with a throat shot. The perpetrators received comparatively low prison sentences due to the judges recognizing they were acting on behalf of the state at the time.
A Broader Initiative
The "FrauenOrt NRW" project, launched by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia in the early 21st century, aims to recognise and honour women from all walks of life—activists, artists, scientists, politicians—by establishing memorials, plaques, or educational sites linked to their life and work. There are already 57 Frauenorte in NRW, a project of the NRW Women’s Council.
A Lasting Legacy
In a few days, Franz-Jürgens-Straße in Dusseldorf Golzheim will be renamed Else-Gores-Straße. A stumbling stone in front of the house in Oberbilker Allee commemorates Else Gores. The memorial stone for Else Gores in the Eller Forest is now an official "FrauenOrt NRW".
Author Doris Bender-Diebels processed the horrors and human act of Else Gores in a novel titled "The Woman Who Was Almost Shot". The Cologne a cappella group Bubs performed at the ceremony, drawing a parallel between Else Gores' story and modern-day femicides and patriarchal treatment of women. A group of men from Gerresheim drew attention to the events surrounding Else Gores and sought out eyewitnesses.
Sarah Gonschorek from the NRW Women’s Council emphasized the importance of this initiative. Astrid Hirsch-von Borries, a historian from the Dusseldorf Memorial and Remembrance Site, stated that Else Gores refutes the claim that "little people couldn’t do anything" during the Nazi era. More than 60 guests attended the ceremony in the Eller Forest on Saturday, April 12.
The "FrauenOrt NRW" memorial for Else Gores in Eller Forest symbolizes recognition, remembrance, and respect for a courageous woman who fought for social progress and suffered under tyranny, aligning with the wider effort in NRW to illuminate women’s historical contributions through dedicated memorials.
- The new memorial in Eller Forest, a symbol of recognition and remembrance, also serves as a testament to Else Gores' work in the field of science, as she was a pioneer in social reform and women's rights.
- The tragic end of Else Gores underscores the importance of mental health and women's health, as she was a victim of violence in a time when these issues were largely marginalized.
- The "FrauenOrt NRW" initiative, encompassing memorials, plaques, and educational sites for women from various backgrounds such as science, politics, and health-and-wellness, promotes general news about gender equality and human rights.
