Born: 24 August 1898, Latvia
Died: 29 October 1919
Country most active: Latvia
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Elza Ziglevice was the daughter of a physician. She was first educated at home, then attended Russian schools at Riga and Moscow, where her views of life, notwithstanding the Russian education, developed in an outspoken national spirit. Owing to the circumstances following the Great War, she finished the intermediate school (high school) at Moscow.
She studied mathematics, commercial science and English, and also worked as English reviewer to the press. In 1918 the Latvian State was founded and greeted with the greatest enthusiasm by the young women of the nation. Soon, however, came those dismal October days, when the shells hurled by the forces of Bermondt threatened the capital of Latvia, and thousands of people lost their lives. On the banks of the Daugava (Dvina) the youth of Latvia took up arms, inspired by the national energy of the Prime Minister. At Riga was founded an organization “The Women’s Auxiliary Corps” which provided food for the thousands of troops. Elza Ziglevice, offering her life for the future of her country, visited the soldiers in the most dangerous places, till she became the victim of a German shell. On October 29th, 1919, her eyes were closed forever, and she rests with the fallen in Latvian soil. The Latvian Government acknowledged the merit of Elza Ziglevice by giving her the highest military Order, the “Lacplesis.” Elza Ziglevice’s name is indelibly engraved in the hearts of the Latvian people. Inspired by the love of her native country, she fell in the struggle for a free Latvia, and is the noblest example of the patriotic enthusiasm of the Latvian woman.