Vortrag von Lara Ahlers: Kapitänin ohne Schiff – Annaliese Teetz und ihr Kampf um Gleichberechtigung

On Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m., Lara Ahlers will talk about her award-winning research on Annaliese Teetz, Germany's first female navigator, at the Stadtteilarchiv Ottensen - Geschichtswerkstatt für Altona e.V..

Lara Ahlers is an A-level student at Altona Grammar School and was awarded first prize in the Körber History Competition for her work "Captain without a ship - Annaliese Teetz and her fight for equality". Her research focuses on the extraordinary life story of Annaliese Teetz from Blankenes, who fought for her place in the male-dominated seafaring industry in the 1950s against considerable resistance.

Teetz wanted to go to sea from an early age - a career aspiration that was hardly envisaged for women at the time. Nevertheless, she pursued her goal with great perseverance: in 1955, she became the first woman in Germany to be awarded a captain's license. In doing so, she made maritime history. However, although she formally fulfilled all the requirements, shipping companies continued to refuse to employ her as a captain. The story of Annaliese Teetz therefore not only tells of personal ambition and passion for seafaring, but also of the limits of female career opportunities in the young Federal Republic.

In her lecture, Lara Ahlers will provide insights into her research and present the life story of this remarkable pioneer. She will also address the question of how women asserted themselves in traditionally male-dominated professions - and what social ideas stood in their way.

Lara Ahlers will also talk about her own experiences at sea, thus creating a link between historical research and personal enthusiasm for shipping.

Free admission. No registration necessary.

Date: 4.6.2026 at 7 pm

Location: Kesselhaus, Ottensen district archive - Geschichtswerkstatt für Altona e.V., Zeißstr. 28, 22765 Hamburg

Picture: Annaliese Teetz goes on board. Photo rights: Förderkreis Historisches Blankenese Hamburg