Alexandra Kollontai

Alexandra Kollontai
Alexandra Kollontai in 1920
Born	(1872-03-31)31 March 1872 Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
Died	9 March 1952(1952-03-09) (aged 79) Moscow, Soviet Union
Nationality	Russian
Occupation	Revolutionary, Diplomat, Writer
Known for	First female government minister, Women's rights activism

Alexandra Mikhailovna Kollontai (Russian: Алекса́ндра Миха́йловна Коллонта́й

31 March 1872 – 9 March 1952) was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and diplomat. She was a prominent member of the Bolshevik Party and became the first woman in history to hold a government minister position. Kollontai was a key figure in the early Soviet government and a pioneering advocate for women's rights and social reform.

Early Life and Education

Alexandra Kollontai was born in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire, into a family of aristocratic background. Her father, Mikhail Domontovich, was a general in the Imperial Russian Army, and her mother, Alexandra Masalina, was the daughter of a wealthy Finnish timber merchant. Despite her privileged upbringing, Kollontai was drawn to socialist ideas from a young age.

Kollontai was educated at home and later attended the Bestuzhev Courses, a higher education institution for women in Saint Petersburg. Her exposure to radical ideas during her studies influenced her decision to join the revolutionary movement.

Political Career

Kollontai joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) in 1899 and aligned herself with the Bolshevik faction led by Vladimir Lenin. She became an active participant in the revolutionary activities leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

In 1917, after the Bolsheviks seized power, Kollontai was appointed as the People's Commissar for Social Welfare, making her the first woman in the world to hold a cabinet position. In this role, she implemented significant reforms aimed at improving the lives of women and children, including the establishment of maternity benefits and the promotion of communal living arrangements.

Advocacy for Women's Rights

Kollontai was a staunch advocate for women's rights and gender equality. She believed that the liberation of women was essential for the success of socialism. Kollontai was instrumental in the creation of the Zhenotdel, the women's department of the Communist Party, which focused on mobilizing women and addressing their specific needs within the Soviet state.

Her writings on women's issues, including "The Social Basis of the Woman Question" and "Communism and the Family," explored the intersections of gender, class, and social change. Kollontai argued for the transformation of traditional family structures and the emancipation of women through economic independence and social support systems.

Diplomatic Career

In the 1920s, Kollontai transitioned to a diplomatic career, serving as the Soviet ambassador to Norway, Mexico, and Sweden. She was one of the first women to hold such high-ranking diplomatic positions, breaking new ground for women in international relations.

Later Life and Legacy

Kollontai continued to be active in Soviet politics and diplomacy until her retirement in 1945. She spent her later years writing and reflecting on her experiences in the revolutionary movement.

Alexandra Kollontai passed away on 9 March 1952 in Moscow. Her legacy as a pioneering feminist and revolutionary leader continues to inspire activists and scholars around the world.

See Also

• Russian Revolution
• Bolshevik Party
• Women's rights

References

• Kollontai, Alexandra. Selected Writings of Alexandra Kollontai. Translated by Alix Holt. W. W. Norton & Company, 1977.
• Farnsworth, Beatrice. Alexandra Kollontai: Socialism, Feminism, and the Bolshevik Revolution. Stanford University Press, 1980.

External Links

• Works by Alexandra Kollontai at Marxists Internet Archive