THE WOMAN'S HERO FROM INDONESIA

Maya Raden Kartini was born on 21 April 1879 in the town of Rembang. She was a leading feminist of women emancipation in Indonesia. Her father was an assistant for the district chief of the city. Her first dream was becoming like her mother, working hard for others. She lived her childhoot cheerfully and she became an energetic girl. For her energetic activity, her father called her “trinil”. After graduating from elementary school she was not allowed to continue their education to a higher level by the parents. He “dipingit” while waiting to be married. Small Kartini deeply saddened by this, he wanted to resist but did not dare for fear of being considered rebellious child. To eliminate sadness, he collected books and other scientific books which he read in the garden house in the company “Si mbok” (assistants).

Finally,no day without reading. All books, including reading newspapers. If there is difficulty in understanding the books and newspapers he read, he always asked his father. Through this book, Kartini's interest in the progress of women think the European (Dutch, who was still colonize Indonesia). Arises desire to promote Indonesian women. Women not only the kitchen but also must have knowledge. He began by collecting her girlfriends to teach writing and other sciences. Amid the busy life she did not stop reading and also writing letters to his friends who were in the Netherlands. Soon she wrote a letter to Mr.JH Abendanon. She pleaded awarded scholarships to study in the Netherlands.

Scholars who had not gotten used Kartini. Although she was not able to continue her study to higher level but by her knowledge that she got by reading, she was able to establish school on backyard of Jepara city hall for local people. In November 12, 1903 Kartini was getting to be merried with Head of Rembang Regency Government named Adipati Djoyodiningrat. According to Javanese tradition Kartini had to follow to her husband’s resident in Rembang. Her husband understood Kartini and engage support women to establish schools. Thanks to the persistence of Kartini succeeded in establishing Women's School in Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Malang, Madiun, Cirebon and other areas. The school's name is "School Kartini". His popularity does not make Kartini became arrogant, she remained polite, respect the family and anyone else, does not distinguish between poor and rich.

In September 13, 1904 Kartini gave birth a baby boy named Singgih. Giving a birth, her condition was getting worse and worse and she finally passed away on September 17 1904 on her 25 year old aged.
Now RA Kartini has gone, but her dream and spirit will always be in our heart. Nowdays Indonesian women progress is hugely influenced by Kartini’s spirit stated on her valuable book “Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang”.

Every school from kindergarten to high school level celebrates Kartini Day by having a flag ceremony and singing the Ibu Kartini song. Kindergarten and elementary schools usually have special events like poem reading competitions, drawing competitions, modeling competitions (girls wear a costume like Ibu Kartini's, with kebaya and batik cloth. In Jepara there is a Kartini Museum which contains a collection of Kartini's personal belongings, including furniture from her house, several photos, letters written by her and other documents relating to her life.