An important samizdat pamphlet clandestinely printed by female resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Slovenia to celebrate International Woman’s Day (March 8th, 1944). Published in the Gorenjsko region close to the current Austrian border (the Karawanks are a mountain range there), the text details the history of the holiday (which has its roots in early 20th century socialist and suffrage movements) and how it was celebrated by Yugoslavian women during the war. It also calls for unity among the women who fought both fascist and Nazi occupation, as well as oppression from traitors within their own country. The text ends with a warning to such enemies to fear the judgement of every defiant woman and wife. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia granted universal suffrage for women the following year, in 1945, and the daring actions of female printers like those represented here undoubtedly helped contribute to this effort. The Slovenian press was severely suppressed during occupation, especially texts in the Slovene language, and publications such as this are therefore rare. OCLC locates only one copy of this title, in Slovenia. An inspiring testament to feminist, resistance, and anti-fascist movements during the war.

$1,250