Seventy-five years since a mother's return, yet the prominent benefactress absent at the Stein anniversary festivities commemoration
In the heart of Fürth's Stein district, history was celebrated on July 18, 2025, as the Müttergenesungswerk marked its 75th anniversary. The event was organised by FrauenWerk Stein e.V., the direct successor of the Bavarian Mütterdienst.
The Müttergenesungswerk, initiated by Elly Heuss-Knapp, the wife of then Federal President Theodor Heuss, was founded in 1950. The land where it all began now houses the Technology Transfer Center of the University of Ansbach. The first charity collection for the Müttergenesungswerk, held on Mother's Day in 1950, raised an impressive 2.5 million euros.
The anniversary celebration was held at Deutenbacher Straße 1 in Stein. Among those who attended were District President Peter Daniel Forster, District Administrator Bernd Obst, Stein's First Mayor Kurt Krömer, Diakonie President Sandra Schuhmann, and MGW Managing Director Rebekka Rupprecht.
The event also marked the unveiling of the first stele on the "historical path" through the history of mother care. Notable attendees included Marlene Rupprecht, former chairperson of the MGW Kuratorium from 2005 to 2013.
The Müttergenesungswerk has evolved over the years, with mother-child cures being added in 2002 and father-child cures in 2007, becoming a mandatory service of the statutory health insurance companies since then. Germany is the only country in the world where mother care is a legally established right.
Peter Daniel Forster, recalling his school days, shared memories of collecting money for the MGW with multiple collection boxes at once. The district administrator suggested that both politicians could go out on the street with collection boxes for the association, an idea that Forster agreed to immediately.
Unfortunately, Karin Baumann-Söder, the Bavarian MGW patroness, who was initially announced for the event, had to cancel her appearance officially. Despite this, the celebration was a resounding success, underscoring the Müttergenesungswerk's enduring importance as a central pillar of healthcare for mothers in Germany, and now also for fathers and caring relatives.
[1] Elke Büdenbender, the patron of the Müttergenesungswerk, congratulated the organisation on 75 years in an Instagram post dated July 14, 2025.
[1] The Müttergenesungswerk, celebrated for its 75th anniversary on July 18, 2025, received a heartfelt congratulatory message from Elke Büdenbender, the organization's patron, on her Instagram account on July 14, 2025.
[2] Beyond the realm of mother care, the Müttergenesungswerk's historical significance is rooted in policy-and-legislation, as Germany is the only country in the world where mother care is a legally established right.
[3] Speaking at the anniversary celebration, District President Peter Daniel Forster suggested a modern twist to traditional fundraising methods by proposing that he and the district administrator go out on the street with collection boxes for the association.
[4] This event showcased the continuity of the Müttergenesungswerk's mission in health-and-wellness, particularly mental-health and women's health, as it has expanded to include mother-child, father-child, and general services over the years. This marks its evolving role within science, politics, and general-news spheres.
