„Ziemianka” – organ prasowy Zjednoczonego Koła Ziemianek 1908-1919

Abstract

“Ziemianka” (The Landlady) magazine was issued in Warsaw between 1908 and 1919. It was published by Zjednoczone Koło Ziemianek (the United Landlady Association) as its internal bulletin to publish the reports of organizational meetings, resolutions, budget estimates and invitations to formal meetings. The motto of the Association With God and With the Nation reflected its ideological orientation and worldview. The periodical aimed to portray women as entrepreneurial, independent, and successful housewives and activists. It popularized the post-positivist model of social life with elements of organic work (the development of folk handicrafts and cottage industry) and work at the grass roots (specialist schooling for rural girls, vocational training, and additional schooling). Moreover, the periodical provided professional advice on farm management and shared agricultural knowledge. This paper depicts how the magazine served its role as the press organ by fulfilling the following functions: (1) group-formation – by bringing together members of the rural women’s movement in the spirit of social solidarity, (2) role-model setting – by defining standards of desirable social behaviour, (3) bond-creation – by supporting close and friendly formal, and informal relationships, (4) and opinion-forming – by developing a certain approach to social systems.