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Close-up of a landmark in the Ruhr region against a red evening sky © Marcel R​/​stock.adobe.com
Award

MajaC's Project Wins the Margot von Renesse Prize

© SPD Bochum
During the awards ceremony (from left): Birgit Fischer, Jasmin Al Osman, and Marlene Bücker (both former participants in “Misch dich ein”), Beate von Miquel, Dorothea von Renesse, Serdar Yüksel, Stephie Helder-Notzon, chairwoman of the SPD Women’s Group in Bochum, and Mayor Jörg Lukat.
At the end of May 2026, the SPD Bochum presented the Margot von Renesse Award for the first time. The award, worth 2,500 euros, goes to the project “Misch Dich ein – Mach Politik vor Ort”, a Local Politics Empowerment Program for Female Students. It is led by Dr. Beate von Miquel, executive director of the Marie Jahoda Center for International Gender Studies (MajaC). MajaC has been carrying out the project since 2021 in cooperation with the University of Duisburg-Essen and the gender equality offices in Bochum and Duisburg-Essen.

During the event at the Bochum Art Museum, Minister of State Birgit Fischer, who also serves as chair of the RUB University Council, paid tribute to Margot von Renesse’s political and social legacy. A former member of the Bundestag, judge, and Social Democrat, she shaped debates on gender equality, women’s rights, family policy, and the rule of law for decades.

By honoring the project “Misch Dich ein – Mach Politik vor Ort,” the jury is also sending a message in support of empowering women in politics. The program encourages female students to actively participate in local political processes, take on political responsibility, and discover opportunities to shape their communities. In doing so, it makes an important contribution to political education, the advancement of women in political decision-making processes, and the strengthening of democracy.

“Democracy thrives on participation. It needs people who take responsibility and get involved. That is exactly what this project conveys. It opens up concrete paths for young women to getting involved politically and to taking on local responsibilities, thereby carrying on the spirit of Margot von Renesse into the present,” said Serdar Yüksel, chairman of the SPD in Bochum.

About the Award

The Margot von Renesse Award will be presented every two years going forward. It honors projects, initiatives, or individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to gender equality, democratic participation, civic engagement, and social justice.

This news item was originally published on the website of Ruhr University Bochum.

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