‘An International Conference of Communist Women’ by Ketty Guttmann from International Press Correspondence. Vol. 2 No. 14. February 21, 1922.

A Conference of the international correspondents of the Women’s Secretariat of the Communist International took place in Berlin from January 25th-26th, 1922.

At this Conference reports were made on the activities among the women in the various countries, organizational measures were discussed and future tasks were outlined. Representatives were present from Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Roumania.

Clara Zetkin presided over the session with characteristic seriousness and ability. It was perceived that our comrades of the various countries have too modest a conception of their own activities.

The Communist women’s movement may appear weak indeed. This is only the case, however, because we renounce all the cheap means of so-called bourgeois and social-democratic women’s movements” and calmly stick to our aim: the revolutionary education of proletarian women. Even the beginning of this work is of great importance. The smallest details of this work should not be considered insignificant. Moreover the Communist women’s movement is a part of the strong Third International and can never lose the powerful inspiration of the militant proletariat. The Communist women’s movement is of vital importance for the entire international working-class. Communist women are already doing indispensable work in many spheres. This has especially been the case in Russia.

In the simple report of Comrade Goldstein (Russia) the inspiration of the great events of the present time was to be felt. She mentioned that the Soviet institutions are now getting rid of the ballast with which they were overcrowded after the conquest of power by the proletariat. By and by the petty bourgeois character of those who do not belong to us bourgeois women and girls is again becoming evident. As soon as there was any opportunity to infringe the law of compulsory work, they broke discipline and again began their old way of living, even by means of prostitution. Even this kind of women, however, is not neglected in Soviet Russia. By means of propaganda our comrades are attempting to regain them.

Mentally, the Russian laboring women have improved considerably. Especially in Petrograd and Moscow there are circles of women who are performing systematic educational work. At present there are two three thousand unemployed women in Petrograd. They are eagerly organizing cooperative production workshops; according to reports these workshops are going well. In this manner the typical depression of the unemployed is being counteracted. In spite of the new economic policy even today the workers of the state industries are better off than those of private shops.

We are determined not to resign any position voluntarily and thus decided to keep up all children’s homes. To our great astonishment we were considerably supported in these activities by the peasants. Evidently they have realized that their children are nowhere getting a better education than in these homes. The Peasants’ Soviets have organised the entire support of the country schools and homes and are materially supporting 50 per cent of the teachers of these institutions.

Also in those schools which are combined with factories, proletarian women are the best assistants.

The Russian proletarian women are active in relieving the famine-stricken population. Their enthusiasm is inspired anew, however, when they get to know of the activities of their foreign female comrades in this field.

The well-known German organizational ability was evident in the report of Comrade Braunthal (Germany). The activity among the women in Germany shows that kind of untiring, never- resting perseverance notwithstanding the indifference of the masses, which is the best proof of the strength and energy of the international Communist movement. If one road does not lead to the goal, they look for another one. This is the essence of the numerous circulars and appeals, meetings and demonstrations. The German Communist women are closely cooperating with the Communist Party. They do not renounce, however, their particular character and their special work among the women. They specialize in work in the shops, cooperatives and in the field of housing. Typical for the German Communist women’s movement are the attempts to give the women’s publications and manifestations a popular character. The women’s pages in the German Communist papers have by their directness become representative for the entire International; the articles of these women’s pages are to a great extent written by proletarian women. It was the unanimous opinion of the Conference that very little had been done when compared to the gigantic tasks with which the Communist women’s movement is confronted.

From the many detailed reports on the various countries, we mention that of Comrade Lucie Colliard which breathed that very intelligible spirit of the French Communist women who consider War and Militarism the most hateful means of suppression of the governing classes.

The representative of Roumania outlined the heroism of women revolutionists in that country, where hundreds of women and girls have been shot for illegal Party work. Every day Communist women in Roumania are giving their lives for their Cause. As already mentioned above, all this was reported in a calm and simple way, without any pathetic phrases.

Neither did our comrades of Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden boast of their activities.

In the discussion of the problem of the Relief Action for Soviet Russia, Comrade Golstein gave an interesting sketch on bourgeois “charity” in Russia. I am convinced that every comrade secretly promised at that moment not to leave the field to these counter-revolutionary ghouls but to do her best in supporting the proletarian relief action. A great amount of work has already been performed by Communist women of all countries in this direction, which work was simultaneously a very valuable means of political enlightenment.

Clara Zetkin who certainly has never in her life been faint-hearted, again proved her experience and elasticity in the discussion of the problem of the international Women’s Day. No pattern-like dead uniformity, no worn-out slogans without consideration of the particular conditions, but living initiative in all countries of the world for the liberation of women by means of Communism. Everywhere the Women’s Week in March must be utilized to inspire the fainthearted, to encourage the negligent, to win those who are still far from us. The proletarian women of all countries must especially fight the White Terror. They must demand the release of all political prisoners; they must protest against exceptional laws; they must propagandize and organize the relief and defense the victims of the White Terror.

The liberation of women by means of Communism may be illustrated by quoting the example of Russia. This will at the same time be a powerful revolutionary manifestation in favor of Soviet Russia. The Women’s Week in March must be a military review of the revolutionary women throughout the world. In no country must our comrades be deterred from getting into connection with other proletarian parties and discussing with them the actual problems of the proletarian women. “Spirit and Energy are everything” were the closing words of the speech of this incomparable woman.

This Conference did very important work in preparation for the establishment of study committees in all countries. The

field of these Committees will be the study of Communist science. The position of the laboring women has never been examined and scrutinized as thoroughly as it will be done by these institutions.

In truth we are not remaining helplessly in one spot. We are marching onwards and even this quiet conference of international Communist women’s correspondents breathed a great spirit.

We are already many and are winning new adherents every day. The power of our troops is growing every moment. No conceit and no pusillanimity can stop us. We cannot but conquer the world–and the modest, calm, hesitating women will do their share therein.

International Press Correspondence, widely known as”Inprecorr” was published by the Executive Committee of the Communist International (ECCI) regularly in German and English, occasionally in many other languages, beginning in 1921 and lasting in English until 1938. Inprecorr’s role was to supply translated articles to the English-speaking press of the International from the Comintern’s different sections, as well as news and statements from the ECCI. Many ‘Daily Worker’ and ‘Communist’ articles originated in Inprecorr, and it also published articles by American comrades for use in other countries. It was published at least weekly, and often thrice weekly.

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