"Beyond the story of R.A. Kartini, many other great women heroes fought for our nation. Get to know powerful figures like Admiral Malahayati and Maria Walanda Maramis. Who is your favorite hero?"
Photo source: Kompas Pedia (Web)
Raden Ajeng Kartini is known as an Indonesian heroine who fought for women's emancipation and gender equality. She wanted women to have the same access to education as men. However, apart from Kartini, many other brave and great women heroes also fought for the nation's independence.
1. Keumalahayati
Photo source: Liputan6 (Web)
Also known as Admiral Malahayati, she was a heroine from the Sultanate of Aceh. She led the Inong Balee troops (a force of widows whose husbands were killed in battle) after her husband, Admiral Zainal Abidin, died in a fight against the Portuguese.
Keumalahayati was known to be very brave and tough. Her troops instilled fear in the invaders. She even managed to kill Cornelis de Houtman in a battle against Dutch ships and forts. She died in 1615 while defending Krueng Raya Bay from Portuguese attacks.
2. Martha Christina Tiahahu
Photo source: Voi (Web)
This young heroine from Maluku was the daughter of Kapitan Paulus Tiahahu. By the age of 17, she had already dared to take up arms against the Dutch. She also constantly motivated women to help men on the battlefield.
After her father was sentenced to death by the Dutch, Martha Christina Tiahahu's physical and mental health declined. She was arrested and sentenced to forced labor. On the journey to Java, she fell ill and refused all food and medicine. She passed away on January 2, 1818, and was buried with military honors in the Banda Sea.
3. Nyi Ageng Serang
Photo source: Wikipedia (Web)
Born Raden Ajeng Kustiyah Wulaningsih Retno Edi in 1752, she was a descendant of Sunan Kalijaga. She fought alongside her father and brother, Kyai Ageng Serang, against the invaders. Her fighting spirit never wavered, and she continued to lead her troops until she was 73 years old.
Her skill in formulating war strategies was recognized by Prince Diponegoro, who appointed her as one of his advisors. Nyi Ageng Serang passed away at the age of 76 from malaria.
4. Cut Nyak Dien
Photo source: Kompasiana (Web)
This heroine from Aceh had a great influence on her people. Her spirit was ignited after her first husband, Ibrahim Lamnga, died while fighting the Dutch in 1878.
In 1880, Cut Nyak Dien married Teuku Umar, and they both fought side-by-side. Unfortunately, she experienced the loss of her husband for the second time on the battlefield in 1899. Cut Nyak Dien continued to fight alone until she was eventually arrested and exiled to Sumedang, where she lived out her final days.
5. Cut Meutia
Photo source: Tagar.id (web)
Like Cut Nyak Dien, Cut Meutia was another strong female fighter from Aceh. She fought alongside her husband, Teuku Muhammad. After her husband was killed in 1905, she married Pang Nangroe, as per her husband's will, and continued the fight against the Dutch.
In 1910, Pang Nangroe died in battle, while Cut Meutia managed to escape into the forest with the rest of her troops. She passed away on September 24, 1910, while fighting the Dutch.
6. Maria Walanda Maramis
Photo source: Journal Telegraf (Web)
Known as the "Kartini from Minahasa," Maria Walanda Maramis was deeply concerned with the advancement of women's education. Seeing many women lagging behind in her time, she founded an organization called Percintaan Ibu kepada Anak Turunannya (PIKAT), which translates to "Mother's Love for Her Descendants."
The PIKAT organization aimed to advance women's education by teaching various household skills, such as cooking, sewing, and baby care. She remained active in the organization she founded until her death on April 22, 1924.
7. Dewi Sartika
Photo source: Wikipedia (Web)
Just like Kartini and Maria Walanda Maramis, Raden Dewi Sartika dedicated her life to advancing women's education. On January 16, 1904, she founded a school called Sekolah Istri (Wives' School). The school was later renamed Sekolah Kaoetamaan Istri in 1920 and Sekolah Raden Dewi in 1929. For her service, she was awarded the title Order van Oranje-Nassau.
8. Andi Depu
Photo source: womenlead.magdalene.co
This brave heroine from Tinambung, West Sulawesi, was a persistent fighter who defended her territory from Dutch attacks. Her courage was also evident when she bravely flew the Indonesian red-and-white flag upon the arrival of the Japanese in 1942. For her service, she was awarded the Mahaputera Star Level IV by President Soekarno and given the title of National Hero by President Joko Widodo.
9. Rasuna Said
Photo source: Republika (Web)
Her full name was Hajjah Rangkayo Rasuna Said. She shared the same vision as Kartini: gender equality. She believed that women's progress could be achieved not only through education but also through political struggle.
For her speeches criticizing the Dutch, she was charged with Speak Delict (a colonial law for those opposing the Dutch) and imprisoned in Semarang. After independence, she served as a member of the United Indonesia House of Representatives (DPR RIS) and the Supreme Advisory Council. Rasuna Said passed away on November 2, 1965, from blood cancer.
