Kartini Day, which falls on April 21st every year, serves as a reminder of the struggles of these female national heroes. Their figures will always be remembered by the Indonesian people.
These Indonesian female national heroes played a crucial role in shaping society. They bravely stood up against colonial rule and paved the way for equal rights between men and women.
Indonesia boasts many female heroes who fought for the homeland since the Dutch colonial era. Some of them took to the battlefield to directly fight the invaders.
12 Female National Heroes In indonesia
Reporting from several sources, here are 12 female national heroes who demonstrated courage in fighting for national independence and women’s rights:
1. Nyi Ageng Serang
Nyi Ageng Serang was born in 1752 in Serang Village, Purwodadi. Her full name was Raden Adjeng Kustiyah Wujaningsih Retno Edi. She was the youngest child of Panembahan Notoprodjo, later known as Panembahan Serang. Nyi Ageng Serang’s mother was a Mataram noblewoman and a descendant of Sunan Amangkurat III.
Nyi Ageng Serang’s father was a duke in Serang who was a descendant of the great cleric Sunan Kalijaga, Bunda. Panembahan Notoprodjo was also a warlord who fought fiercely against the Dutch during the colonial era.
At the age of 17, Nyi Ageng Serang was sent to the Yogyakarta Palace. While there, she observed customs and experienced limited freedom of movement.
Nyi Ageng Serang encountered difficulties in pursuing her goal of fighting the colonialists. She decided to deepen her martial arts skills to prepare for the struggle and help the people.
Nyi Ageng Serang was once an advisor to Prince Diponegoro. At the age of 73, she occasionally took to the battlefield with her impressive war tactics.
In 1827, Prince Diponegoro and Prince Serang were defeated by the Dutch army. At the same time, Nyi Ageng Serang’s condition began to weaken.
Four years after the end of the Diponegoro War, or to be precise in 1834, Nyi Ageng Serang died at the age of 76. Her remains were buried in Beku Village, Kulonprogo Regency, Yogyakarta. This is according to the book ” Heroes and Female Figures in the Frame of Diversity” by the History Directorate Team and the official website of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikdasmen).
2. Marta Christina Tiahahu
Martha Christina Tiahahu was born on January 4, 1800, in Abubu Village, North Nusa Tenggara, Maluku. She was the only child of Captain Paulus Tiahahu.
Martha Christina Tiahahu was a female fighter who bravely fought against the Dutch East Indies colonialists alongside Thomas Matulessy Pattimura, also known as Captain Pattimura. According to Indah Ratna’s book “MARTHA CHRISINA TIAHAHU: Pearl from Nusa Laut Who Loves Her Homeland ,” Martha began her struggle to defend her homeland alongside her father.
Despite being a woman, Marta Christina Tiahahu personally accompanied her father in war. She even led troops against the Dutch at the age of 17.
His participation in the war overwhelmed the Dutch. It’s no wonder he became a respected figure among his opponents, Bunda.
Martha Christina Tiahahu died on January 1, 1818, or three days before she turned 18. She died on a Dutch ship and her body was thrown into the sea.
3. Cut Nyak Dhien
Cut Nyak Dhien was born in 1848 in Aceh Besar Regency. She is known as a national hero and fighter who bravely fought against the Dutch.
According to the book “Cut Nyak Din: Kisah Ratu Perang Aceh” by MH Szekely Lulofs, the teenage Cut Nyak Dien stood out among other women her age. She was even the pride of her father, Nanta Seti.
Throughout her life, Cut Nyak Dien remained faithful to her husband, Teuku Ibrahim. They even frequently exchanged ideas on strategies for fighting the Dutch. Teuku Ibrahim himself greatly admired his wife for her courage and tact.
“Dhien, you are truly a very clever woman! You deserve to be compared to the Acehnese heroes who are skilled at strategizing,” said Ibrahim to his wife.
Teuku Ibrahim died after being shot by a Dutch bullet. Her husband’s passing did not stop Cut Nyak Dhien from fighting against the Dutch.
She later remarried to her cousin, Teuku Umar from Meulaboh. Both became known as national heroes for defending the country from the Dutch.
4. Cut Meutia
Tjoet Nyak Meutia or known as Cut Meutia was born on February 15 1870 in Keureutoe, Pirak, North Aceh. Cut Meutia is the son of Teuku Ben Daud, an Ulebalang in Pirak Village.
Cut Meutia grew up in a time when the Indonesian people were passionately fighting against Dutch occupation. She inherited her father’s courageous attitude, known for protecting the people.
Cut Meutia married a warrior named Teuku Cik Muhammad, also known as Teuku Cik Tunong. Cut Meutia and her husband fought against colonial rule, living in the interior of Keureutoe to establish resistance.
In 1905, Teuku Cik Tunong was captured and executed by the Dutch. Afterward, Cut Meutia married Pang Nanggroe and became involved in armed resistance against the colonialists. During her lifetime, Cut Meutia served in Teuku Muda Gantoe’s troops and carried out numerous attacks on Dutch colonial posts.
On October 24, 1910, she died in battle at Alue Kurieng. Cut Meutia’s struggle to defend her homeland was recognized by the government, and she was awarded the title of national hero in 1964.
5. Maria Walanda Maramis
Maria Walanda Maramis was born in a small town in Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, on December 1, 1872. This woman, whose full name is Maria Josephine Catherine Maramis, is a national hero who has contributed to empowering Indonesian women, especially in the North Sulawesi region.
Maria Walanda Maramis grew up without her parents, both of whom died of cholera. She and her two older siblings were then raised by an aunt and uncle living in Airmadidi.
At that time, Maria Walanda Maramis was dissatisfied with the education system in her area, which only allowed boys to attend school. Maria Walanda Maramis then met with Reverend Ten Hoven and frequently exchanged ideas about the fate of girls’ education in Minahasa.
After marrying a teacher named Yoseph Frederik Calusung Walanda and having three daughters, Maria felt the need to do something about her children’s education. She then began a movement to advance education for women in Minahasa by enrolling her three children in school so they could continue their education on the island of Java.
On July 8, 1917, Maria founded a women’s education movement called Percintaan Ibu kepada Anak Temurunnya (Mother’s Love for Her Children), or PIKAT for short. This organization continued to grow until, in 1921, the Dutch government in Batavia allowed women to vote in elections for members of the Minahasa Raad.
On April 22, 1924, Maria Walanda Maramis died. In memory of her services, Maria Walanda Maramis was awarded the title of national hero on May 20, 1969.
6. Mrs. Walidah Achmad Dahlan
Nyai Walidah Achmad Dahlan was born in 1872 in Kauman, Yogyakarta. She was the daughter of KH Muhammad Fadli and Nyai Mas.
In her time, Nyai Walidah was educated according to Javanese traditions when girls were not allowed to attend formal school and were only allowed to care for children and take care of kitchen matters.
Despite this, Nyai Walidah’s father homeschooled her and taught her various Islamic knowledge. Furthermore, Nyai Walidah was also given the opportunity to tutor younger female students at home.
Nyai Walidah developed a faith-based women’s movement called Aisyiyah, a women’s organization within Muhammadiyah. In addition to championing women’s rights through Aisyiyah, Nyai Walidah also fought for Indonesian independence by using her home as a kitchen for soldiers. She also promoted military service to Muhammadiyah students and graduates and taught Indonesian as the language of unity to her students.
During her leadership of Aisyiyah, Nyai Walidah achieved many accomplishments. One of these was establishing the first Aisyiyah prayer room for women to pray in congregation.
Ten months after Indonesia’s independence, on May 31, 1946, Nyai Walidah died in Yogyakarta. She was buried behind the Great Kauman Mosque. On November 10, 1971, Nyai Walidah was declared a national hero.
7. RA Kartini
Raden Ajeng Kartini, also known as RA Kartini, is a renowned female national hero. Kartini was born on April 21, 1879, in Jepara, Central Java. To this day, April 21 is celebrated as Kartini Day.
According to a post on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud), now known as Kemendikdasmen, Kartini was the fifth child of RM Sosroningrat and MA Ngasirah. Her father came from the priyayi (Javanese nobility) class, a class that still adhered to traditional customs.
Kartini was an inspiring figure of women’s emancipation. She was a critical thinker who dared to speak out about education for women, at a time when education was limited for her gender. She believed it was important for women to pursue education, not just master kitchen chores.
Kartini married Raden Adipati Joyodiningrat. Her husband was a man who also supported her in advancing Indonesian women’s rights. During her lifetime, Kartini established a school for girls near the Rembang Regency office complex.
R.A. Kartini died at the age of 25, on September 17, 1904. After her death, J.H. Abendanon published the letters she had sent to her friends in Europe. The book, titled ” Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang,” continues to inspire many to this day.
8. Opu Daeng Risaju
Opu Daeng Risaju was a descendant of the Luwu Kingdom nobility who was born in 1880. He was the son of Opu Daeng Mawellu and Muhammad Abdullah.
Although a child of nobility, Opu Daeng Risaju did not receive a Western education like other noble children, Bunda. He only received an education based on the customs of the Luwu people.
Opu Daeng Risaju learned about leadership, socializing, and governing the people. He also possessed knowledge of Islamic law and Islamic faith.
Opu Daeng Risaju married H. Muhammad Daud, a cleric who had lived in Mecca. During the national movement, Opu Daeng Risaju played an active role in national organizations and joined the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII) in 1927.
During his lifetime, Opu Daeng Risaju was arrested several times and tried for his speeches, which were considered provocative to the government. Even in his advanced age, he was still punished by torture in prison.
The Dutch recognition of the Republic of Indonesia’s sovereignty in 1949 ended Opu Daeng Risaju’s imprisonment. On February 10, 1964, Opu Daeng Risaju breathed his last and was buried in the tomb of the Kings of Luwu in Lokoe, Palopo. On November 3, 2006, Opu Daeng Risaju was awarded the title of national hero by the government.
9. Dewi Sartika
Raden Dewi Sartika was born on December 4, 1884, into a distinguished Sundanese family in Cicalengka. From childhood, Dewi Sartika had a desire to become a teacher and teach her fellow mothers.
After her father’s death, Dewi Sartika lived with her uncle and received a Sundanese cultural education. In 1904, she founded the Wife’s School in the Bandung Regency Hall. Her decision to establish this school received support from her grandfather, who was then the Regent of Bandung.
This school later expanded to teach girls reading, writing, arithmetic, and other skills. By 1912, there were nine similar schools in West Java. Despite facing a crisis during the Japanese occupation, the school continued to thrive and was renamed the Raden Dewi School.
However, during the War of Independence and the Dutch Military Aggression, Dewi Sartika fled and eventually died on September 11, 1947, in Cineam, where she was buried before being moved to Jalan Karang Anyar, Bandung. Her services as a champion of women’s education have earned her a national hero.
10. Rasuna Said
National heroine Rangkayo Rasuna Said was born on September 14, 1910. She is known for her struggle to defend women’s rights.
Rasuna Said came from a Minangkabau aristocratic family in West Sumatra. She grew up in an environment that encouraged her to pursue an education and fight for Indonesian independence.
Rasuna Said was active in struggle organizations such as the People’s Union (SR) and the Indonesian Muslim Union (PERMI). She is also known as the first woman to be charged with speech delict by the Dutch for her speeches criticizing colonialism.
Rasuna Said strongly believed in equal rights for men and women. She took an active role in women’s education, establishing schools and newspapers focused on women’s rights and the national movement.
Beyond education, Rasuna Said also championed women’s rights to participate in politics. After Indonesian independence, she continued to play a role in policymaking as a member of the Sumatran Representative Council and the Supreme Advisory Council.
Rasuna Said died on November 2, 1965, of cancer. Her body was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
11. Fatmawati Soekarno
Fatmawati Soekarno was the wife of Indonesia’s first President Sukarno. Born on February 5, 1923, she served as Indonesia’s first First Lady from 1945 to 1967 and the mother of the fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Fatmawati comes from a Minangkabau family. She attended the Holandsch Inlandsche School (HIS), a Dutch school specifically for native Indonesians, now equivalent to elementary school.
Since her school days, Fatmawati has been active in organizations, including Naysatul Asyiyah, a Muhammadiyah organization. After graduating from HIS, Fatmawati continued her studies in special education at a Catholic-run school.
Fatmawati is also known for her contribution in sewing the Heirloom Flag Sang Saka Merah Putih which was flown during the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945. In a vulnerable physical condition due to being in late pregnancy, she sewed the flag with a Singer sewing machine operated by hand because doctors forbade using her feet. The flag then flew in Pegangsaan Timur during that historic moment.
Fatmawati died on May 14, 1980, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the age of 57, of a heart attack. Her remains were buried in Karet Bivak Cemetery, Jakarta.
12. Raden Ajeng Fatimah Siti Hartinah
Raden Ajeng Fatimah Siti Hartinah, also known as Ibu Tien, was the wife of Indonesia’s second president, Suharto. She was born on August 23, 1923, and married Suharto on December 26, 1947. Ibu Tien was declared a national hero shortly after her death in 1996.
Ibu Tien came from a family that frequently moved residences due to her father’s duties as a civil servant. Although she only completed two years of elementary school, she remained active in various social activities, including the Barisan Pemuda Putri (Girls’ Youth Front) during the Japanese occupation and the Laskar Putri Indonesia (Indonesian Women’s Army) after independence.
As the President’s wife, Ibu Tien played a crucial role in supporting her husband’s career and decisions. She is known to have played a role in Soeharto’s decision to remain in the military when facing slander in the 1950s and also pushed for a ban on polygamy for officials in Indonesia.
In the field of development, Mrs. Tien supports national projects such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Mekarsari Fruit Park, National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, and RSAB Harapan Kita.
This is the story of 12 Indonesian female national heroes whose services are always remembered by many people.