Born: 17 August 1828, France
Died: 6 February 1894
Country most active: France
Also known as: NA
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Maria Deraismes was a French author and Freemason who played a significant role in advancing women’s rights. In 1866, a feminist group called the Société pour la Revendication du Droit des Femmes started gathering at André Léo’s house. The group included notable members like Paule Minck, Louise Michel, Eliska Vincent, Élie Reclus, his wife Noémie, Mme Jules Simon, and Caroline de Barrau. Eventually, Maria Deraismes was convinced to join their cause.
Given the diversity of viewpoints, the group decided to concentrate on enhancing girls’ education. In 1870, Deraismes partnered with Léon Richer to establish L’Association pour le droit des femmes. She also contributed to Richer’s publication, Le Droit des femmes.
In an era when female admission to Freemasonry was rare, Deraismes became a Freemason on January 14, 1882. She became part of “Les Libres Penseurs” Lodge in Pecq, a small village near Paris. A year later, she and Georges Martin founded a Masonic lodge that welcomed both men and women as members. This co-masonic lodge later evolved into the Grande Loge Symbolique Ecossaise “Le Droit Humain,” eventually becoming the International Order of Freemasonry Le Droit Humain.
Working alongside suffragettes like Hubertine Auclert, Deraismes dedicated efforts to attain political emancipation for women. Her symbolic candidacy in the 1885 elections further underscored her commitment to the cause.