Indonesian National

Female Heroes
Indonesian Studies
 National Hero
Women’s National Hero – Many people already know that in ancient
times, Indonesia was a colonial country. Therefore, many Indonesian
citizens fought against the invaders. In fact, it’s not just the men, but there
are already many women who aim to help Indonesia’s independence.

Therefore, there are many Indonesian women who are given the title of
hero because of their services to Indonesia. However, before discussing
women’s national heroes, we should first discuss what national heroes
are.

Indonesia has national heroes, both heroes in the Dutch and Japanese
colonial eras, heroes of the revolution and heroes in the
post-proclamation era. Thanks to the services of these heroes, Indonesia
managed to become independent and become a big and better nation
as it is now.
 Hero
A hero is a person who stands
out because of his courage and
sacrifice in defending the truth,
or a brave warrior.
Etymologically, the word ‘hero’
comes from the Sanskrit ‘phala’,
which means result or fruit.

According to the Big Indonesian

Dictionary (KBBI), a hero is
someone who has the courage
and sacrifice in defending the
truth for the nation, state and
religion or a brave fighter.
 National Hero
National hero is the title of the highest award in Indonesia, as well as
posthumously or a title given by the government to people who have
died, who have contributed greatly and are role models for the
community. Not only men, but there are many female national heroes
who participated in fighting for Indonesian independence.

National Hero is a title given to an Indonesian citizen or someone who

fought against colonialism in the territory that is now the territory of the
Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia who died or died defending the
nation and state, or who during his lifetime carried out heroic actions or
produced great achievements and works. for the development and
progress of the nation and state of the Republic of Indonesia.
10 Indonesian Female Heroes
with Strong In uences
01 Raden Ajeng Kartini
 Kartini
Raden Ajeng Kartini is hailed as Indonesia's first
feminist. April 21, the day of her birth, is
celebrated as "Hari Ibu Kartini" (Kartini Day). She
is seen as the symbol of Indonesian women's
emancipation.

Kartini was born on 21 April 1879, in a village

called Mayong in the town of Jepara, North
Central Java to an aristocrat family. She is the
daughter of the Regent of Jepara. She went to
a primary school, along with her brothers, for
the children of Dutch planters and
administrators. Other girls from aristocratic
families did not receive the same formal
education she obtained. But under the old
Javanese tradition of pingit, she was kept in
seclusion at home until marriage upon
reaching the age of twelve years.
 Kartini
Seclusion from twelve years of age until marriage did not stop Kartini from aspiring for further
education. During her period of seclusion she wrote letters to many friends abroad, read
magazines and books, and rebelled against the strong tradition of gender discrimination.

She obtained a scholarship to study in Holland, a desire she worked to achieve for quite some
time, but family pressure led her to ultimately reject it. She did not want marry but she consented
to be the fourth wife of the Regent of Rembang, Raden Adipati Joyodiningrat, a man twenty-five
years her senior. She died on 17 September 1904 after giving birth to a child a year after her
marriage. She passed away at the young age of twenty-five. Prior to her death, Kartini founded a
school for young girls.

In 1903, Kartini obtained permission to open in her own home in Rembang the first ever all-girls
school, for daughters of Javanese officials. She created her own syllabus and system of
instruction. The school aimed at the "character development of young women, while at the same
time providing them with practical vocational training and general education in art, literature and
science." It was also a school that was both Western and Indonesian. By 1904, the school had one
hundred twenty students.
“Habis gelap, terbitlah terang.”
(After darkness, comes light.)

—Kartini
 02
Keumalahayati
 Keumalahayati
Also known as Malahayati. She is a female hero
from the Sultanate of Aceh. She led the Inong
Bale troops (widows of heroes who died in the
war against the invaders). Her husband,
Admiral Zainal Abidin, died in the battle at Haru
Bay against the Portuguese. From there,
Malahayati gave a proposal to the Aceh
Sultanate to form Inong Bale. Her proposal was
approved and she was appointed
Commander of the Inong Bale Troops with the
rank of Admiral. Her troops were respected by
the invaders because they were known to be
brave and tough. Even Cornelis de Houtman
died in her hands while fighting against Dutch
ships and forts. But in 1615, Malahayati died in a
battle against the Portuguese led by Alfonso
De Castro. At that time she defended and
protected Teluk Krueng Raya from Portuguese
attacks.
 03
Martha Christina Tiahahu
 Martha
This female hero from Maluku is the daughter
of Kapitan Paulus Tiahahu. At the age of 17, she
had dared to take up arms against the Dutch.
In fact, she always encouraged women to help
men on the battlefield to fight against the
Dutch together. However, when her father was
sentenced to death by the Dutch, Martha
experienced a decline in physical health and
mental disorders. So in the end she was
arrested and sentenced to forced labor and
taken to Java. While traveling from Maluku to
Java, she became ill and refused to be fed or
treated. Until finally she died on January 2, 1818,
and was buried with a military tribute to the
Banda Sea.
04 Nyi Ageng Serang
 Nyi Ageng Serang
Her name is Raden Ajeng Kustiyah Wulaningsih
Retno Edi who was born in 1752. She is the
daughter of Prince Natapraja who is also a
descendant of Sunan Kalijaga. She both fought
the invaders with her father and brother
named Kyai Ageng Serang. However, her father
and brother died in an effort to defend
Mangkubumi against Paku Buwono I who was
assisted by the Dutch. Her enthusiasm and
persistence against the Dutch did not stop
there. She continued to lead her troops until
she was 73 years old. Her prowess in
formulating war strategies was recognized by
Prince Diponegoro. In fact, she was appointed
as one of his advisors. At the age of 76, she
died of Malaria.
05 Cut Nyak Dien
 Cut Nyak Dien
She is a fighter from Aceh who has a strong
influence on the people of Aceh. Her strong
and burning spirit was triggered by her
husband, Ibrahim Lamnga, who died while
fighting against the Dutch in 1878. But in 1880,
Cut Nyak Dien married Teuku Umar. They both
have the same determination against the
Dutch. But unfortunately in 1899, Cut Nyak Dien
had to experience the loss of her husband for
the second time on the battlefield. Cut Nyak
Dien finally fought alone with her small army
against the Dutch. Finally Cut Nyak Dien was
arrested by the Dutch and exiled to Sumedang
until the end of her life.
06 Cut Meutia
 Cut Nyak Dien
Many strong female fighters come from Earth
Aceh, one of which is Cut Meutia. She is also a
female hero who fought against the Dutch with
her husband, Teuku Muhammad. But in 1905,
her husband was arrested by the Dutch and
sentenced to death. According to the will left
by her husband, she married Pang Nangroe,
and continued to fight against the Dutch with
the Marechausée Corps. In 1910, Pang Nangroe
died in battle, while Cut Meutia managed to
escape the Netherlands and fled with the rest
of her troops into the forest. On September 24,
1910, Cut Meutia died against the Dutch.
 Maria Walanda
Maramis
07
CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
including icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik
 Maria Walanda Maramis
This woman is known as Kartini from Minahasa.
She really cares about women's education.
Because in her time, she also saw that there
were still many women who had educational
backwardness. She attended the Malay School
in Maumbi in North Minahasa for 3 years, and
unfortunately could not continue her education
to a higher level. This prompted her to establish
Percintaan Ibu Kepada Anak Temurunnya
(PIKAT), an organization that aims to promote
the education of women. Here the women are
taught ranging from household knowledge,
cooking, sewing, taking care of babies, etc. She
was active in the organization she founded
until her death on April 22, 1924.
 Dewi Sartika

08
CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
including icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik
 Dewi Sartika
Just like Kartini and Maria Walanda Maramis,
who wanted to advance women in the field of
education. In 1904, Raden Dewi Sartika founded
a school called Sekolah Isteri on January 16,
1904. In 1920 the school changed its name to
Kaoetamaan Isteri. and in 1929, it changed its
name again to Raden Dewi School. She was
awarded the title of Order van Oranje-Nassau
in recognition of her services in the field of
women's education.
09
Andi Depu
 Andi Depu
Maybe not many people know this brave
female hero. She is Andi Depu Maraddia
Balanipa, who comes from Tinambung, West
Sulawesi. She was known as a persistent fighter
against the Dutch for defending her territory
from their attacks. Not only that, she also dared
to fly the red and white flag when the
Japanese arrived in Mandar in 1942. Because of
her courage, President Soekarno gave the
Mahaputra Star Level IV award. Also, the title of
National Hero was given by President Joko
Widodo to Andi Depu.
10
Rasuna Said
 Rasuna Said
Her full name is Hajjah Rangkayo Rasuna Said.
She also has the same vision and mission as
Kartini, namely gender equality. She argues
that the progress of women is not only
obtained from education but can also be
obtained through political struggle. She was
given the Speak Delict law by the Dutch
because of her speech that criticized the Dutch
at that time. Speak Delict is a Dutch colonial
law that was given to people who opposed the
Dutch. In 1932 she was arrested by the Dutch
with her friend, Rasimah Ismail, and imprisoned
in Semarang. After independence, she was
appointed to the United Indonesia House of
Representatives (DPR RIS). She also served as a
member of the Supreme Advisory Council.
Rasuna Said died on November 2, 1965, due to
blood cancer she suffered.