Memorial plaque unveiled in Riga for Latvia’s first female Saeima member — LSM English

In Riga, Latvia, on September 28, a memorial plaque was unveiled in honor of Berta Pipinya, the first woman elected to Latvia’s Saeima, and her husband Ermanis Pipiņš-Vizulis. The ceremony was timed to coincide with Pipinya’s birthday; she was a prominent politician of the interwar period.

The memorial was installed on the building at 69 Gertrudes Street. The building was constructed by Berta Pipinya’s husband, and the Pipin family lived there. The installation of the plaque was initiated by legal historian Liene Dreimane, LSM English reports.

Family participation

Berta Pipinya’s granddaughter, Mara Satiņa, who returned to Latvia after living in the United States, attended the unveiling. She does not remember her grandmother: when Mara was two, Berta Pipinya was deported to Siberia, where she died in Tomsk. Mara’s family moved out of this house when she was five.

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Berta Pipinya was a member of the 4th Saeima and actively advocated for family interests. According to Mara Satiņa, her grandmother was energetic and made sure that men did not waste money. Pipinya also served on the Riga City Council and founded the Latvian Women’s National League.

Design of the memorial

Agnese Strautiņa, director of the Riga Monuments Agency, called Berta Pipinya one of Latvia’s most recognizable women. According to her, the politician always attended congresses in Latvian national dress, as it was important for people involved in founding the state to represent Latvia.

The author of the memorial plaque, artist and designer Armands Zelčs, used a graphic technique that makes the image change depending on the viewing point. From one side of the street, Berta can be seen, while from the other, Ermanis is visible.