Kartini

Kartini and husband. Found at Wikipedia

Born in April 21, 1879 in Jepara, Kartini is known a national heroine for women's rights in Indonesia. Being born into aristocratic Javanese family in a time when Java was still part of the Dutch colony, she got the privilege of going to school until she was 12 years old (education was only allowed for the rich and the aristocrats at that time). Then, she was secluded at home, a common practice among Javanese nobility, to prepare young girls for their marriage.

During the seclusion, she educated herself by reading and writing (she had several Dutch pen friends: Stella Zeehandelaar, Rosa Abendanon, Nellie Van Kol). She also opened a school for children at her home. After her marriage to the Rembang regent, she got her husband's permission to use the home terrace as teaching area. She had wanted to write a book, but she died at the age of 25, just four days after delivering her baby. Letters between her and her pen friend Rosa Abendanon was put into a book, titled Door Duisternis tot Licht (Out of Dark Comes Light). Read more in Wikipedia.

In 1964, President Soekarno declared April 21 as Kartini Day. Back then, schools usually told students to wear  traditional Javanese clothes, which I found as a weird way to celebrate the birth of an intellectual and activist.  

Have you read the book on Kartini's letters? I think I'll celebrate Kartini Day this year by reading the book:).

PS. April 21 is also M's birth date, which was why she shared Kartini's name. This year, M is 60 years old, but she still looks as beautiful as a 30-something lady. Happy birthday, M and all Kartini out there!:)