Pioneers: Ita Wegman

ITA WEGMAN: PORTRAIT OF A REMARKABLE WOMAN

Weleda’s Suzie Fairgrieve celebrates the life of one of the industry’s trailblazers…

ITA Wegman was an extraordinary woman whose legacy extends far beyond her time. She was born in Java in 1876. At the turn of the last century, she studied massage and physiotherapy in both Holland and Germany, before relocating to study medicine at Zurich University in 1906. This was a time when very few women were admitted to medical school.

Ita went on to specialise in women’s health, starting her own medical practice in 1912, and shortly afterwards she opened a pioneering new clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland, in collaboration with Rudolf Steiner. The clinic became a centre for holistic medicine.

In 1921, Ita Wegman and a small group of progressive scientists founded Weleda. The company was inspired by the vision of Rudolf Steiner whose holistic mind-body-spirit approach to wellbeing continues to shape Weleda’s range today. Ita was joined by pharmacist Oskar Schmiedel and his wife Thekla, a fellow chemist, who had started their own laboratory in 1913 chiefly to produce cosmetic products using botanicals.

Together the team manufactured the health and wellbeing products that were needed for the clinic in Arlesheim. Steiner was nearing the end of his life when Weleda was founded, but his wisdom and experience gave the young company both standing and impetus, so Weleda was able to expand internationally. By the end of the 1920s, thanks to Ita Wegman’s visionary approach and practical business acumen, six further Weleda companies had been established around the world including the UK in 1925.

Ita Wegman’s passionate and progressive ideas and actions have resonated far beyond her own lifetime. With her warm nature and down to earth approach, she contributed to the women’s movement of the early 20th century. She was a creative, courageous and determined woman, an exceptional doctor with a strong sense of collegial leadership. She always had a keen interest in how the world was developing, and her humanitarian nature is revealed through the many letters she wrote to patients, colleagues and social workers.

She had a special love of children, and in 1922 she established a therapeutic home for children with developmental disabilities and special needs, Sonnenhof. It was not only young people who were close to her heart, but also the so-called fringe groups of society of the time, who were persecuted or threatened. From 1933, this was mainly the Jewish people. Ita Wegman saved many lives by helping people to escape from Germany. She was a true cosmopolitan, with friendships and working relationships in countless countries. Even well into her retirement in the 1940s she continued to take in many refugees at her home in Ascona, Switzerland.

Following the premature death of her fiancé, she immersed herself in her work and was tirelessly committed to her holistic approach, exploring ways in which nature could benefit health and wellbeing. Her hospital, Arlesheim Clinic, continues to thrive today and Weleda continues to be partially owned by this non-profit organisation.

Ita lived during a time of great change, and she herself brought about great changes within her sphere of influence. It is thanks to Ita Wegman that the principle of working in harmony with people and nature has guided Weleda since 1921. n

iWeleda products are widely available, from many supermarkets and beauty retailers, pharmacies, health food stores, online retailers and Weleda’s own online store at www.weleda.co.uk. The range is also available from a network of knowledgeable Weleda Wellbeing Advisors all around the UK, many of whom are holistic therapists, who incorporate Weleda’s range into their work and support their clients with organic skincare and holistic health products as part of their expert service.