Anna Kéthly – A Trailblazing Socialist in the Hungarian Parliament – Budapest, Anna Kéthly Statue

Fact of the Hungarian figure „Margit Schlacta – The first woman to be elected to the Hungarian Parliament”

Part of the „The emancipation of women” topic

Anna Kéthly was a prominent Hungarian Social Democratic politician and a trailblazer for women in politics. As the second female member of the Hungarian Parliament, she served from 1922 until 1948, becoming a powerful advocate for workers’ rights and women’s emancipation. Kéthly was deeply committed to social justice, constantly pushing for equal pay, better working conditions, and gender equality. Her dedication to these causes placed her at the forefront of the Hungarian Socialist movement, and she became one of the most influential female politicians of her time.

Despite the rise of communism in Hungary, Kéthly chose to stay in the country, refusing to align herself with the communist regime. During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, she became the president of the newly re-formed Hungarian Social Democratic Party and served as the Minister of State in Imre Nagy’s government. Her steadfast opposition to communist rule and her advocacy for democracy made her a key figure during the revolution. However, when the Soviet invasion of Hungary began, Kéthly was in Vienna and did not return to Hungary. Instead, she traveled to New York, where she represented the Hungarian cause at the United Nations, working tirelessly to raise awareness about the revolution and the Soviet crackdown.

Kéthly’s exile did not diminish her influence. In 1957, she became the president of the Hungarian Revolutionary Council in Strasbourg, continuing to advocate for Hungarian democracy and social justice from abroad. She eventually settled in Brussels, where she lived for the rest of her life, remaining an important figure in the Hungarian diaspora and the international socialist movement. Anna Kéthly’s life is a testament to her unwavering dedication to democracy, social justice, and women’s rights. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of women in politics, both in Hungary and across the globe.