Nadezhda Stasova

Nadezhda Stasova
A formal painted portrait of a somewhat elderly woman, seated and in a formal black gown with white trimmings, looking directly at the viewer, arms loosely crossed before her. She wears a black, lacy hair covering and has a large, intricate golden broach pinned to the front top of her gown.
Portrait by Ilya Repin (1889)
Born(1822-06-12)June 12, 1822
DiedSeptember 27, 1895(1895-09-27) (aged 73)
Resting placeTikhvin Cemetery, Saint Petersburg
Occupations
  • Activist
  • philanthropist
MovementFeminism in Russia
FatherVasily Stasov
Relatives

Nadezhda Vasilievna Stasova (Russian: Надежда Васильевна Стасова; June 24 [O.S. June 12] 1822 – October 9 [O.S. September 27] 1895) was a Russian educator, activist, and feminist. Stasova was born into a noble and wealthy family; Tsar Alexander I of Russia was her godfather, and she received extensive private tutoring as a child. After experiencing family tragedy and personal disappointment as a young woman, she dedicated herself to women's education and economic empowerment. Alongside Anna Filosofova and Maria Trubnikova, Stasova was one of the earliest leaders of the Russian women's movement. Together, the three friends and allies were referred to as the "triumvirate".

The triumvirate founded and led several organizations designed to promote women's cultural and economic independence, including a publishing cooperative. Subsequently, the triumvirate pushed government officials to allow higher education for women, although continuing opposition meant that their successes were sometimes limited or reversed. Stasova eventually became the lead organizer of the Bestuzhev Courses in 1878, but a decade later was forced to resign under political pressure. In her final years, she continued her support for the cause of women's rights in Russia. Stasova died in 1895.