| Editorial team
History is often a matter of perspective. Forgotten Heroines by Stefanie von Wietersheim shifts precisely this perspective – calmly, thoroughly and with great narrative power. The book brings together portraits of women who were pioneers, visionaries and trailblazers, yet whose achievements are scarcely embedded in the collective memory. Not because they were insignificant, but because history has long been told selectively.
Stefanie von Wietersheim traces the life stories of these women with journalistic precision and narrative depth. She tells the story of Hedy Lamarr, who was not only a film icon but also played a part in developing the technology on which today’s Bluetooth connections are based. She also profiles political figures, social pioneers and creative minds from the worlds of art, fashion and advertising – such as the woman who coined the legendary slogan ‘I love New York’ and thereby redefined city marketing.
INFO
Forgotten Heroines – Women Who Made History
Author: Stefanie von Wietersheim
Publisher: Callwey
Length: 240 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2789-3
Price: €29.95 (Germany) / €30.80 (Austria) / CHF 40.50
Publication date: 2025
Historical perspectives with contemporary voices
What makes this book special is its complexity. It is not about retroactive heroisation, but about context, impact and relevance. The portraits reveal the conditions under which these women worked, the resistance they faced – and how far-reaching their influence remains to this day. The historical context is complemented by contributions from prominent contemporary figures, who bridge the gap to the 21st century and highlight why these stories need to be told right now.
Visually, the book is brought to life by around 100 striking images, which do not merely illustrate the text but enrich it. They lend the portraits a sense of presence and underline the book’s aim: to bring to light what has been overlooked for too long.
Our conclusion
Forgotten Heroines is not a traditional history book, but an invitation to re-evaluate. It is aimed at readers who do not view history as a closed chapter, but as a living process – and at all those who wish to understand just how much our present has been shaped by women whose names we really ought to know.
© Callwey
