Süssmuth, Rita (1937–)
Süssmuth, Rita (1937–)
German academic and politician. Name variations: Rita Sussmuth; Rita Suessmuth. Born Feb 17, 1937, in Wuppertal, Germany; educated at universities of Münster, Tübingen, and Paris; m. Hans Süssmuth (a professor); children: 1 daughter.
Taught at several German universities, including those at Stuttgart and Osnabrück (1963–66), Pädagogische Hochschule Ruhr (1966–69, 1971), and University of Dortmund (1980); aligned with Christian Democratic Union Party, rose through the ranks and worked on several governmental committees devoted to women, children, marriage, and family affairs (1970s–80s); served as director of the research institute Frau und Gesellschaft (Women and Society) in Hanover before assuming the role of chair of Christian Democratic Union Women's Association (1986), and minister of Youth, Family Affairs, Women and Health (1987); joined the Bundestag (1987) and became its president (1988), heading the governing body until 1999; was a persuasive advocate for social justice.