ZüriCityWalk

Entrepreneur and pioneer in the Swiss shoe trade

Franziska Dosenbach, born Anna Maria Francisca Buchmann in Kleinwangen, was one of Switzerland's first female entrepreneurs. After the early death of her husband Kaspar Dosenbach in 1877, she took over the management of their joint saddlery business in Bremgarten (AG) and transformed it into a thriving shoe company. She began selling factory-made shoes as early as 1865 – an innovation at a time when handmade shoes dominated the market. Despite initial skepticism, she focused on quality at affordable prices and struck a chord with the zeitgeist. Under her leadership, the company expanded: she opened a branch in Baden in 1878, followed by another on Rennweg in Zurich in 1880. Shortly before her death in 1917, her company already employed around 100 people and owned 17 properties.

Franziska Dosenbach, also known as "Finke Fränzi," is considered a pioneer for women in business and a symbol of innovative spirit and assertiveness.

“A good pair of shoes should not be a luxury – it should be an everyday necessity for everyone.”

– 1832 Born in Seetal, Lucerne, Switzerland
– 1853 Marriage to Kaspar Dosenbach
– 1865: First sales outlet in Bremgarten
– 1878 Opening of the Baden branch
– 1880 Opening of the branch on Rennweg, Zurich
– 1890s Expansion: Franziska expands her shoe store and establishes it as a leading supplier of shoes in Switzerland
– 1917 Death in Bremgarten, Switzerland

Today Dosenbach is now a major supplier of shoes in Switzerland.

Recently, a Relief was presented to Bremgarten (AG), Franziska's home town, which the Dosenbach family dedicated to Franziska's memory as co-patrons.

Influential architect in Zurich, pioneer in a male-dominated field

Annemarie Hubacher-Constam grew up in an architecturally influenced environment. Her grandfather Gustav Gull, architect of the Swiss National Museum, encouraged her to study architecture. She graduated from ETH Zurich in 1943. Two years later, she founded her own architectural firm with her husband Hans Otto Hubacher. She became famous in 1958 as chief architect of the second Swiss Exhibition of Women's Work (SAFFA). Together with over 60 female architects and graphic designers, she designed this showcase of Swiss women's achievements, which became a symbol of female creativity. In addition to her architectural work, Annemarie was socially and politically active: she was a member of the City of Zurich's Welfare Commission and on the board of the Swiss Heritage Society. In 1996, she was honored by the City of Zurich for her commitment to women's rights—five years after the women's strike of 1991.

Her work has had a significant impact on Zurich's cityscape. Annemarie's most important buildings include the Mythenquai lido (1954), the Hofacker primary school (1955), the Reformed Church in Zollikerberg (1960), the Rietholz housing estate (1961), the Eichbühl cemetery chapel (1964), the Atlantis Hotel (1970), the greenhouses of the Botanical Garden (1977), and the renovation of the Zurich Ethnographic Museum (1980).

"For once, women are not in the background..."

– 1921 Born in Zurich, Switzerland
– 1943 Graduated in architecture from ETH Zurich
– 1945 Founded her architecture firm with her husband Hans Otto
– 1958 National recognition as chief architect of the second Swiss Exhibition of Women's Work (SAFFA)
– 1991 Participation and involvement in the women's strike on June 14
– 1996 Honored by the City of Zurich for her commitment to women's rights
– 2012 Death in Küsnacht, Switzerland

First female doctor in Switzerland

With permission from her father and husband

In 1868, Marie Heim-Vögtlin became the first Swiss woman to be admitted to the medical faculty of the University of Zurich. A storm of indignation broke out across the country. At the time, the public believed that women were physically too weak to study medicine. Her father encouraged Marie's education, which required his written permission and support both for her enrollment and for her later establishment as a gynecologist. In 1875, Marie married geologist Albert Heim. He, too, had to give his wife express permission to work, as required by law at the time. The couple had three children and led a marriage for which there were no role models at the time: both Albert and Marie had demanding careers. This made Marie one of the first women to strive to balance family and career. Marie Heim-Vögtlin was aware of her role as a pioneer and supported the women's movement. She also promoted healthcare through publications and lectures. Throughout her life, she enjoyed a reputation as an outstanding doctor and was known for treating socially disadvantaged patients for a symbolic fee. Marie died in Zurich in 1916 at the age of 71, four years after contracting pulmonary tuberculosis.

"I wanted to be more than just a mother and wife."

– 1845 Born in Windisch, Switzerland
– 1868 First Swiss woman to begin studying medicine
– 1874 Graduated as a doctor, opened a gynecological practice
– 1875 Married Albert Heim, birth of first child
– 1890 Commitment to the women's movement and health education
– 1912 Diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis
– 1916 Death in Zurich, Switzerland

City councilor, member of the Council of States, and women's rights activist

Emilie Lieberherr was a pioneer in Swiss politics and the women's movement. Lieberherr was the first woman in Uri to obtain a high school diploma, a doctor of economics, nanny to Jane and Peter Fonda, Switzerland's first consumer advocate, and openly gay. Throughout her life, Emilie was committed to women's rights and social justice. In 1969, she gained nationwide fame as co-organizer of the March on Bern, in which thousands of women demanded women's suffrage – a turning point in Swiss political history.

"We are not here to beg, but to demand."

In 1970, she became the first woman to be elected to the Zurich City Council. In her role as head of social welfare, she worked tirelessly for childcare, old-age care, and women's rights, and was a leading figure in the controlled distribution of heroin in Zurich and drug liberalization in general.

In 1978, Lieberherr was elected to the Council of States – again as one of the first women. Her voice carried weight, not only on gender equality issues, but also in social and education policy. Emilie Lieberherr remained one of the defining figures in Swiss politics until her retirement as a city councilor in 1994.

– 1924 Born in Erstfeld, Switzerland
– 1961 Co-founder of the Swiss Consumer Forum
– 1969 President of the Action Committee for the March to Bern
– 1970–1994 First female city councilor in Zurich
– 1976–1980 First President of the Federal Commission for Women's Issues
– 1978–1983 Member of the Council of States for the Canton of Zurich
– 2011 Death in Zollikerberg, Switzerland

Influential Swiss soccer official

International expert and promoter of women's soccer

In 1979, at the age of just 12, Tatjana Haennis began her remarkable career as a soccer player in Bern. Her talent earned her 23 caps for the Swiss national team. After her time as an active player, women's soccer became her life's work. Tatjana is one of the most influential figures in Swiss women's soccer: she was the first employee at UEFA to focus exclusively on women's soccer. From 1999, she worked at FIFA for 18 years and played a decisive role in the development of international women's soccer. From 2018 to 2022, Tatjana worked for the Swiss Soccer Association. She started there as head of women's soccer, but in 2020 became director of women's soccer, making her the first and only woman on the executive board. Three years later, she took the plunge across the Atlantic and is now director of the National Women's Soccer League in the US. Tatjana has made a name for herself internationally as an outstanding figure in women's sport. It is thanks in no small part to her, her vision and her perseverance that Switzerland will host the UEFA Women's EURO 2025.

“There have been female pioneers before me, but they are not well known. I am continuing what women before me have achieved.”

– 1966 Born in Biel, Switzerland
– 1979–1996 Active soccer career
– 1994–1999 UEFA, responsible for women's competitions
– 1999–2017 FIFA, Head of Women's Football, responsible for organizing FIFA Women's World Cups
– 2018–2022 Director of Women's Soccer at the Swiss Football Association, first female member of the SFV Executive Board
– Since 2023 Sports Director of the National Women's Soccer League in the USA