# Kartini

> Indonesian heroine, feminist (1879–1904)

**Wikidata**: [Q1373764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1373764)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartini)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kartini

## Summary
Kartini (1879–1904) was an Indonesian feminist and women's rights activist from the Dutch East Indies, celebrated as a National Hero of Indonesia for her advocacy for girls' education and gender equality. Her collected letters, published posthumously as *Letters of a Javanese Princess*, became a foundational text in Indonesian feminist thought and inspired educational reforms.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 21, 1879, in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia)
- **Nationality**: Indonesian (citizen of the Dutch East Indies)
- **Education**: Informal Dutch-language education (self-taught and through correspondence)
- **Known for**: Advocating for women's rights, education for girls, and social reform in colonial Indonesia
- **Employer(s)**: Founder of the Kartini Schools (women's education initiatives)
- **Field(s)**: Women's rights activism, education, feminist literature

## Contributions
- **Letters of a Javanese Princess**: A Dutch-language book compiling Kartini’s correspondence, published posthumously, which articulated her vision for women’s emancipation and education in colonial Indonesia.
- **Kartini Schools**: Established schools for Javanese girls, challenging traditional gender norms and expanding access to education.
- **Feminist Advocacy**: Her writings and activism laid the groundwork for later women’s rights movements in Indonesia, influencing policies on education and gender equality.

## FAQs
**Who was Kartini?**
Kartini was an Indonesian feminist and women's rights activist from the Dutch East Indies, known for her advocacy for girls' education and gender equality during the colonial era.

**What is Kartini’s most famous work?**
Her most famous work is *Letters of a Javanese Princess*, a collection of her letters that outlined her vision for women’s rights and education in Indonesia.

**What awards or recognition did Kartini receive?**
She was posthumously declared a **National Hero of Indonesia** for her contributions to women’s rights and education.

**What is Kartini’s legacy?**
Kartini’s legacy includes the establishment of schools for girls, the inspiration for Kartini Day (celebrated annually in Indonesia), and her influence on feminist movements in Southeast Asia.

## Why They Matter
Kartini’s advocacy for women’s education and gender equality transformed social attitudes in colonial Indonesia, paving the way for future feminist movements. Her letters and schools challenged oppressive traditions, inspiring generations of activists and educators. Without her work, progress in women’s rights in Indonesia would have been significantly delayed.

## Notable For
- National Hero of Indonesia (posthumous award)
- Author of *Letters of a Javanese Princess*
- Founder of the Kartini Schools for girls’ education
- Namesake of a crater on Venus (Kartini)
- Annual celebration of Kartini Day in Indonesia

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Kartini was born on **April 21, 1879**, in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) into a Javanese aristocratic family. Despite limited formal education opportunities for girls, she learned Dutch and corresponded with European pen pals, expanding her knowledge of feminist ideas.

### Activism and Advocacy
Kartini’s writings, particularly her letters, criticized colonial policies and traditional Javanese customs that restricted women’s rights. She argued for education as a tool for emancipation, influencing later reforms in Indonesia.

### Publications and Influence
Her collected letters, published as *Letters of a Javanese Princess*, became a cornerstone of Indonesian feminist literature. The book highlighted her vision for women’s independence and education, resonating globally.

### Legacy and Recognition
Kartini was posthumously honored as a **National Hero of Indonesia** for her contributions. Her name is commemorated in schools, a Venusian crater, and **Kartini Day** (April 21), celebrating her enduring impact on women’s rights.

### Personal Life
Kartini married **Raden Adipati Djojoadiningrat**, a Javanese nobleman, in 1903. She died on **September 17, 1904**, shortly after childbirth, but her ideas continued to inspire movements for gender equality in Indonesia and beyond.

## References

1. RKDartists
2. Geni.com
3. Dutch East Indies
4. [BnF authorities](https://data.bnf.fr/en/12435421/raden_adjeng_kartini/)
5. [Source](https://historia.id/surat-pendiri-bangsa/koleksi/surat-kartini)
6. [Source](https://www.viva.co.id/siapa/read/401-r-a-kartini)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Raden Adjeng Kartini. Biografisch Portaal
12. Find a Grave
13. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
14. calender
15. FemBio database
16. BnF authorities
17. Academia.edu
18. Source
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. Digital Library for Dutch Literature
21. Online Dictionary of Dutch Women
22. [Source](https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Kartini_Sebuah_Biografi/rtZOEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bahasa+jawa&pg=PA16&printsec=frontcover)
23. history book
24. [Kamerscherm. 1904](https://www.koninklijkeverzamelingen.nl/collectie-online/detail/84092f07-d0a0-52fe-a239-205e1ee3d23d)
25. [Kist met fotoportretten van de Regenten van Java en Madura. 1904](https://www.koninklijkeverzamelingen.nl/collectie-online/detail/f249e028-641a-5e60-9b84-eaaec2312877)