In 1949, the H.I.C.O.G. sent Betsy Knapp of the League of Women Voters as their Women's Affairs Specialist to Germany to assist in organizing travel to the U.S. for German women. In addition, her responsibility included targeting women's organizations for Marshall Plan funding. With Knapp as their American consultant, the Buero fuer Frauenfragen was created in 1949-50 under the directorship of Antje Lemke-Bultmann. The funding for the first year (1951) came predominantly from the U.S. By the end of 1952, the U.S. was pressing the organization to seek its funding in Germany. Ursula Gaertner, a delegate from the German government, was able to secure resources for that year. At the end of 1952, the organization realized that in order to increase their constituency, they needed to broaden their platform, and the Buero fuer Staatsbuergerliche Frauenarbeit was created in early 1953. Furthermore, they combined their efforts with the Council of Hessian Women's Organizations to counsel approximately 16 women's organizations. Their purpose was to span from voter registration to foreign affairs, to the promotion of women in politics and public affairs. Erna Schlepper replaced Antje Lemke-Bultmann as the director of the Buero in 1954.
From the guide to the High Commissioner for Germany. Women's Affairs Branch Records MS 368., 1949-1985, (Sophia Smith Collection)
