Draft:Konstantsa Lyapcheva

Konstantsa Lyapcheva

Konstantsa Lyapcheva (in Bulgarian: Констанца Ляпчева) (1887-1942) was a prominent figure in political and social life in Bulgaria in the early 20th century. As a social activist, she became involved in charitable works and social movements, particularly advocating for women's rights, child protection, and social welfare.

Konstantsa Lyapcheva was one of the first women to play an influential role in the political and public sphere of the country, paving the way for other women in positions of power. Her activism marked the beginnings of women's emancipation in a Bulgarian society that was still largely patriarchal, significantly contributing to the increase in women's autonomy in 20th-century society.

She was married to Andrey Tasev Lyapchev (Tarpov) (in Bulgarian: Андрей Тасев Ляпчев (Tърпов)) (1866-1933), who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria during three consecutive governments from 1926 to 1931.

Biography

Konstantsa Lyapcheva was born on March 22, 1887, in Sofia. Her youth was marked by social and political transformations, as well as the rise of Bulgarian nationalism, leading the country to its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

She grew up in a wealthy family in Tryavna which sent her to Switzerland to continue her studies, allowing her to master several European languages.

At the age of 24, Konstantsa Lyapcheva married Andrey Lyapchev, 21 years her senior. However, their marriage was marked by a certain disharmony and a lack of fulfillment for her.

An intellectual and activist, Konstantsa Lyapcheva did not settle for being merely 'the wife of': she used her status to influence and improve certain economic and political reforms of the time. She played a key role in designing social policies focused on the welfare and protection of the most disadvantaged.

She passed away on November 28, 1942, in Sofia, at the age of 55, during the Tsardom of Bulgaria. Upon her death, she bequeathed all her assets to the Bulgarian state..

Activism and Humanitarianism

During the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), Konstantsa Lyapcheva served as a Sister of Charity, a member of a religious order dedicated to charitable work, where she provided assistance to wounded soldiers and refugees.

In the 1930s, she became the first woman in Bulgaria to actively engage in issues such as human trafficking, domestic violence, and child protection. Until the end of her life, she presided over the Union for the Protection of Children in Bulgaria, an organization she co-founded in 1910, dedicated to defending the rights, well-being, and protection of children.

Furthermore, Konstantsa was a member of nearly all the charitable organizations in Sofia, often involved in the boards of directors. Her commitment extended to all aspects of social welfare in Bulgaria at that time, making her a central figure in the development of the country's social policies.

Women's Rights

Through her activism, Konstantsa Lyapcheva played a key role in the recognition of motherhood as an important social function by the state. What was once considered a private responsibility within families evolved into a civic responsibility, with women being acknowledged for their essential role in educating future citizens likely to contribute to the national community. As a result, Bulgaria implemented public policies aimed at supporting mothers, including healthcare, maternity leave, financial assistance, and the protection of women's rights within the family framework.

Furthermore, Konstantsa Lyapcheva actively advocated for Bulgarian women's access to education, which she viewed as a fundamental lever for improving women's living conditions and modernizing Bulgarian society.

Children's Rights

Konstantsa Lyapcheva was a passionate advocate for children's rights in Bulgaria, playing a key role in obtaining legislative protections from the state in their favor. She founded the first shelters for children in distress, created numerous homes and orphanages, as well as training centers for social workers, summer camps, and playgrounds.

Thanks to her efforts, Bulgarian children benefited from legal protections in education and well-being. In 1927, it was under her initiative that the first Children's Day was celebrated on June 1st in Bulgaria.

Although she never had children, her dedication to child protection earned her the honorary title of 'Mother of all Bulgarian children.'.

Awards

In recognition of her humanitarianism and philanthropic efforts, Konstantsa Lyapcheva received the Grand-cross of the Red Cross as well as the Civil Order of Merit from Boris III of Bulgaria. These prestigious distinctions were awarded to individuals who made significant contributions to Bulgarian society.