Helene-Potetz-Hof

1987. A woman stands before a newly constructed building in Vienna’s 12th district, Meidling. Her eyes, though aged, hold a spark of resilience. This is Helene-Potetz-Hof, named in her honor. Helene Potetz, a woman who stared down fascism and emerged a champion for social democracy. The Helene-Potetz-Hof, with its 45 apartments, stands as a testament to her legacy. Helene Potetz began her political journey in the social democratic youth movement in 1919. By 1922, she was a member of the Social Democratic Workers’ Party. After the tumultuous events of February 1934, she became a key figure in the Revolutionary Socialists, working tirelessly in the underground resistance. Her bravery led to her arrest in 1937. She was released during the February amnesty of 1938, only to be arrested again by the Gestapo in August 1939 for “Marxist activities.” Two years in prison were followed by deportation to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she remained until the war’s end. Undeterred by her experiences, Helene Potetz returned to Vienna and was elected to the Vienna City Council and State Parliament in 1945. She also served as the editor for “Die Frau,” a socialist magazine. From 1949 to 1967, she held the esteemed position of chairwoman of the Vienna City Council, and in 1959, she achieved another milestone, becoming the third president of the Vienna State Parliament, the first woman to hold this position. She retired from politics in 1967. The Helene-Potetz-Hof, completed between 1984 and 1987, ensures her name and her fight for social justice are not forgotten. It serves as a tangible reminder of her resilience and dedication to a better future for Vienna. The Helene-Potetz-Hof stands not just as a residential building, but as a symbol of unwavering spirit.