History/Political Science paper by Petrás, Éva
Legacy of Margit Slachta, a Pro-Active Social and Political Representative of Modern Catholic Thinking (Accepted)
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
Margit Slachta’s reburial in December 2021 has given a new impetus for historians to reconsider her activity and role in modern Hungarian history. For decades in state socialist Hungary, her personality was put into a false interpretative scheme, which showed her as a representative of the “clerical reaction”. Contemporary historiography still owes her a great debt to present her true legacy based on new primary historical sources. The lecture strives to give a contribution to this endeavour. After an overall survey of Slachta’s manifold activities as Catholic social activist, “Christian feminist”, a founder of a modern women’s order, a rescuer during the Shoah, it will focus on her political activity as the first woman MP in the history of Hungarian parliamentarism. Slachta was a representative in three parliamentary cycles: first after World War I and twice after World War II, which made her a stakeholder during these highly significant periods of Hungarian history. That’s why, beyond her church historical importance, Slachta’s legacy shall find its proper stand also in the social and political history of the country.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Éva Petrás (PhD) studied at Pécs University with specialization in history and English, and subsequently received her MA degree in modern history at Central European University. She obtained her PhD in history at the European University Institute in Florence in 2003. Between 2009 and January 2020 she worked as a researcher in the Historical Archives of the Hungarian State Security (ÁBTL), Budapest. Since February 2020 she works as a research fellow of the Committee of National Remembrance (NEB). She is also a member of the “10 generáció/10 Generations” – “Lendület” Research Project of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.