"Seventy-five years of mother commemoration, yet the notable benefactress absent from the anniversary celebration in Stein"
In the picturesque town of Stein, Bavaria, the Müttergenesungswerk (MGW) recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. The event, held on July 18, 2025, at Deutenbacher Straße 1, marked seven and a half decades of providing essential healthcare services to mothers, fathers, and caring relatives across Germany.
The celebration was graced by several dignitaries, including District President Peter Daniel Forster, District Administrator Bernd Obst, Stein's First Mayor Kurt Krömer, Diakonie Chairwoman Sandra Schuhmann, and MGW Managing Director Rebekka Rupprecht. The presence of these esteemed figures underscored the MGW's pivotal role in healthcare and its enduring support from the community.
However, the event saw a slight change in plans. The unveiling of the first stele of a new "historical path" through the history of maternal care was not performed by Karin Baumüller-Söder, the Bavarian MGW patroness, as initially planned. Instead, the honour fell to Marlene Rupprecht, the former SPD Bundestag member and chairwoman of the MGW's board of trustees from 2005 to 2013.
The MGW, often referred to as the "birthplace of maternal care," was initiated by Elly Heuss-Knapp in 1950. Since then, it has grown into a central pillar of healthcare in Germany, with the addition of father-child cures to legally established maternal care in 2002. It is worth noting that Germany is the only country worldwide where maternal care is a legally established right.
The land where the MGW was founded is set to undergo further development in the coming years. Currently, it houses the Technology Transfer Center of Ansbach University, among other things. The former banquet hall, once a significant part of the MGW's history, is now used as a meeting room for the city council.
In his speech, Peter Daniel Forster recalled his school days when he used to collect money for the MGW with several collection boxes. His sentiments were echoed by the district administrator, Bernd Obst, who suggested that both politicians could go out on the streets with collection boxes for the association.
The first Mother's Day collection raised a total of 2.5 million euros (adjusted for inflation), a testament to the generosity and commitment of the German people towards the MGW's mission. As the MGW looks forward to its next 75 years, it continues to stand as a beacon of hope and care for families across Germany.
The MGW's 75th anniversary celebration was significant, not just for its historical significance, but also for the presence of various dignitaries, including Marlene Rupprecht, a former SPD Bundestag member and former chairwoman of the MGW's board of trustees.
Leaving a mark in science and policy, the MGW, known as the "birthplace of maternal care," was initiated by Elly Heuss-Knapp in 1950, and Germany is the only country worldwide where maternal care is a legally established right.
The MGW's mission has been supported by the generosity of the German people, as evidenced by the 2.5 million euros (adjusted for inflation) raised during the first Mother's Day collection. In the future, the MGW, along with its endeavors in health-and-wellness and women's health, may engage in policy-and-legislation discussions, particularly in the realm of mental-health and general-news.
As the MGW enters its next chapter, its history and impact will continue to be chronicled, with the unveiling of a new "historical path" through the history of maternal care. The event's focus on the MGW's past serves as a reminder of the organization's enduring contributions to the well-being of families in Germany.
