Rasuna Said

Rasuna Said was born to a noble Sundanese family in Maninjau, West Sumatra, on 14 September 1910. She had a passion for teaching since she was a child, and often played as a teacher with her friends. She received education in both Sundanese and Western culture from her uncle and the wife of a resident assistant. In 1923, she became an assistant teacher at the newly established Diniyah Putri girls' school, founded by Rahmah el Yunusiyah, but returned to her hometown three years later after the school was destroyed by an earthquake. She then studied for two years at a school linked to political and religious activism, and attended speeches given by the school director about nationalism and Indonesian independence. In 1926, Rasuna Said became active in the communist-affiliated Sarekat Rakyat (Peoples Union) organization, which was dissolved following a failed communist uprising in West Sumatra in 1927. The following year, she became a member of the Islamic Union Party, rising to a position in the leadership of the Maninjau branch. Following its establishment in 1930, she joined the Union of Indonesian Muslims (Persatuan Muslim Indonesia, Permi), an organization based on Islam and nationalism. That following year, Rasuna who was once again teaching in Padang Panjang, left her job after a disagreement with her employer as Rasuna had been teaching her students about the need for political action to bring about Indonesian independence, and moved to Padang, where the Permi leadership was based. There, she established a school for girls. ¹ On 23 October 1932, at a public meeting of the Permi women's section in Padang Panjang, Rasuna made a public speech entitled "Steps to the Independence of the People in a Greater Indonesia" in which she condemned the ruination of people's livelihoods and the damage done to the Indonesian people by colonialism. She also argued that Islam taught that imperialism was wrong and that independence would surely come one day, forcing the Dutch from Indonesian lands. For this speech, she was arrested and charged by the Dutch colonial government for "sowing hatred" against the Dutch. She was sentenced to three years in prison, but was released after 18 months due to her poor health. She was the first woman in the Netherlands Indies to be arrested and charged for political activities. ¹² After her release, Rasuna continued her involvement in the nationalist movement. She joined the Indonesian National Party (PNI) in 1935, and became the head of the women's section in West Sumatra. She also wrote articles for various newspapers and magazines, such as Pemandangan, Soeara Asia, and Soeara Oemoem. She advocated for women's rights, especially their rights to education and participation in politics. She also criticized the feudal system and the polygamy practice among the nobility. She was influenced by the ideas of Kartini, the pioneer of women's emancipation in Indonesia. ¹² During the Japanese occupation, Rasuna was involved in the Pembela Tanah Air (Defenders of the Homeland) organization, which was a paramilitary force trained by the Japanese. She also joined the Gerakan Wanita Indonesia (Indonesian Women's Movement), which aimed to mobilize women for the war effort and the preparation for independence. She participated in the first Indonesian Women's Congress in 1945, which issued a resolution supporting the independence of Indonesia and the equality of women. ¹² After the proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, Rasuna became a member of the Badan Penyelidik Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI, Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence), which was responsible for drafting the constitution of the new republic. She also became a member of the Provisional People's Representative Council (PPRS), the legislative body of the republic. She was one of the few women who held such positions in the early years of independence. During the Indonesian National Revolution, she joined the Sabilillah army, which was a guerrilla force that fought against the Dutch colonial forces. She also helped to establish schools and hospitals for the people affected by the war. ¹² After the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty in 1949, Rasuna continued her political career. She became a member of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), which was an advisory body for the president. She also joined the Indonesian Islamic Party (PSII), and became the head of its women's section. She was involved in various social and religious organizations, such as the Indonesian Red Cross, the Muslimat, and the Aisyiyah. She also founded the Sekolah Tinggi Islam (Islamic Higher School) in Medan, North Sumatra, where she taught for several years. ¹² Rasuna Said died in Jakarta on 2 November 1965, at the age of 55. She was buried in Jalan Karang Anyar, Bandung, West Java. She was recognized as a National Hero of Indonesia in 1966 by President Sukarno. Her name is used as a street name in many cities in Indonesia, and she is widely regarded as a pioneer of women's education and empowerment in Indonesia. ¹²