To mark International Women’s Day, duomedia has taken a moment to
celebrate the incredible women who contributed to the history of our printing
industry. These pioneering women challenged the norms of their time, influencing
generations of women in business and publishing.
- Anna Rügerin – A Leading Force in 15th Century Europe
Anna Rügerin, considered to be the first woman printer, was truly ahead of her time. She printed two books with her own press in Augsburg, Germany, just twenty years after the arrival of the movable type printing press in that city. Keep in mind that this was at a time when women had almost no career opportunities and were typically excluded from universities. Rügerin laid the foundation for women in business and forever changed the printing industry.
- Charlotte Guillard – Breaking Barriers in Paris
Charlotte Guillard was one of the first woman printers in 16th-century Paris. She made a name for herself in a male-dominated industry. Her published works helped shape France’s intellectual and cultural landscape. From 1538, her shop produced more than 150 titles, including four complete editions of the Corpus Juris Civilis, which became an essential reference for lawyers and students. Her story is a powerful testimony of the crucial role women in business and publishing.
- Martina Plantin – The Legacy of the Plantin Press
It was not uncommon in the 16th and 17th century for women born in a family that ran a printing house to play an active role in the company. However, Martina Plantin was more than just a caretaker of the Plantin Press in Antwerp. She was the driving force behind its success, turning it into Europe’s most influential printing house at the time. Fluent in Dutch, French, Latin and Greek, she took over the business after her father. At its peak, the Plantin Press employed 80 people and ran 22 printing presses, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Her legacy can still be found at the Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
- Catharina Ahlgren – A Swedish Printing Pioneer
Catharina Ahlgren wasn’t just a printer in early modern Sweden, she was also a feminist, poet, translator, and one of Sweden’s first woman journalists. She later became the chief editor of several women’s periodicals in Stockholm and in Finland, including Om konsten att rätt behaga (1782). She was a significant figure in the early feminist and literary movements in Sweden. Her influences are felt to this day.
Looking Beyond
The impact of these pioneering women continues to resonate in today’s printing industry and media. Today, nearly 35% of the print industry workforce is made up of women, according to a recent report.
However, the battle for the full recognition of women’s contributions in the printing industry continues. We must be mindful of the challenges encountered by women today. Gender pay gap, limited access to mentorship, unconscious bias, and fewer leadership roles are hurdles women still face today. But there is also good news: A momentum for change is building, and organizations like Women in Print are playing a vital role.
The stories we tell today shape the future, just like these women did centuries ago. At duomedia, we know women’s voices make impact. Join us to elevate communication in the printing industry.
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