As the study of history continues to teach us more and more about the tragedies and atrocities of the Holocaust, German Historian Anette Isaacs comes forth with some valuable information about the little discussed role of women at this time in history. The Academia Hernando community learning series will present “Women of the Third Reich” on Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 am, presented by Anette Isaacs, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.
Academia Hernando is a not-for-profit lifelong learning organization providing quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County, and beyond. Their goal is to inform, educate, and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics.
“The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world.” These words, auspiciously written by Hitler’s mouthpiece, Joseph Goebbels, in 1929 laid out the simple but essential role that German women were expected to play in the prospective Third Reich,” read an event description. “By examining both the general situation of women in Nazi Germany and the individual lives of wives and girlfriends of the Nazi elite, such as Magda Goebbels, Leni Riefenstahl, and the infamous Eva Braun. German historian and public educator Anette Issacs will reveal how far this lofty expectation was met by reality in a racially motivated totalitarian system.”
Anette Isaacs, MA, is a German Historian and Public Educator who has been presenting hundreds of programs on more than 30 different topics (all pertaining to her native country’s history, politics, and culture) in the Chicagoland area and in South Florida. Isaacs has earned Master’s Degrees in American Studies, Political Science, and History, and is an adjunct faculty member at the lifelong learning departments of Oakton College, the College of Lake County, Harper College, the College of DuPage, and McHenry County College, all located in Illinois. She is also a popular instructor at Florida Atlantic University’s OLLI in Boca Raton.
“I am thrilled to be a featured speaker at Academia Hernando this fall. As a German historian and public educator, I am particularly interested in presenting programs that are not only informative but also thought-provoking and enlightening,” she said. “Talking about the role of women in Nazi Germany certainly meets this goal.”
Isaacs says that her presentation will concern a full spectrum of women alive during this time. “We are going to examine the general situation of the “ordinary” women during the Third Reich,” she said, “and then we are also going to take a closer look at the wives and girlfriends of the Nazi elite, such as Magda Goebbels and the infamous Eva Braun.” Isaacs looks forward to sharing what she knows with the audience at Academia Hernando.
“It will be a fascinating presentation and I am so delighted to drive up from Palm Beach Gardens to meet all the lifelong learners and history buffs in my audience,” she said. Sharon Printz, board member of Academia Hernando, is proud to welcome the return of Anette Isaacs to the Academia Hernando stage. “Anette Isaacs is a native of Germany knowledgeable about so much of the country’s history,” she said. “Her topic this time, Women of the Third Reich, is a subject that has rarely been discussed. We look forward to hearing her insights.”
Coming up at Academia Hernando is “Edible Florida & Basic Survival Skills,” which will be presented on Friday, Oct. 7, at 10 am by Don Philpott; “China Under Communism,” presented on Friday, Oct. 14 at 10 am by Dr. David Kelly; “Around the World in 100 Minutes,” presented on Friday, Oct. 21 at 10 am by Joy Katzen- Guthrie; Nan Colton will present “Agatha Christie, Queen of Murder Mysteries” on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 am; Ross Tarr, M.S. and Wanda Stuart, M.S will present “Storyteller of Old Tampa” on Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 am; and on Friday, Nov. 11 a Mystery Bus Excursion will culminate the series.
Academia Hernando, formed as a division of learning in retirement of the University of South Florida and was originally entitled “Mondays in Brooksville,” they used to meet in the Commission Chambers of the Courthouse. It was Incorporated as a 501(c) 3 domestic non-profit business on November 18, 2010.
The Academia Hernando lectures begin promptly at 10 am and lasts for 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. To register for the entire lecture series in addition to a mystery excursion, print the registration form found at https://www.academiahernando.org/fall-series and mail with your check for $80 payable to Academia Hernando, Inc.and mail to:
Bev Nuzzi
15027 Middle Fairway Drive
Brooksville, FL 34609
Checks also can be brought to an Academia Hernando presentation; in addition, walkin admissions are available at $15 per presentation. Visit https://www.academiahernando.org/ for more information or call (352) 345-8345.
