Meeting the Mysterious Hedwig Kallmeyer, Episode #1

Hewdig (Hade) Kallmeyer (1881-1976) was important for many reasons. She was one of the people who brought physical culture work to Germany in the early 20th century. She also taught Elsa Gindler, Hedwig von Rohden and other influential figures of the time.

We also have to think about people who didn’t necessarily make a name in dance or psychology or any other field, who just studied with her out of interest, as a way to cultivate more grace or strength or to feel better in themselves, who later went on to work, to have children, to teach school or just to have the influence that anyone else has in the course of their lifetimes. 

She was a feminist, and a pioneer in promoting women's health. Not much is known about Kallmeyer, but I fill in some gaps and raise still more questions in this two-part series.