Interesting Exhibit of the Month

In the June column “Interesting Exhibit” we present the book “Mother Educator” (“Motyna – Educator”) written by Marija Pečkauskaitė-Šatrijos Ragana in 1926.
The book is dedicated to the complete education of the child and the mother’s role in it. A copy of this book, dedicated by Marija Pečkauskaitė to Janina Kairiūkštyte-Tumėnienė in 1927, is preserved in the Museum collections. Two enlightened women of extraordinary destiny, Marija Pečkauskaitė – Šatrijos Ragana and Janina Kairiūkštyte – Tumėnienė, were linked not only by their pedagogical activities, but also by their close friendship. They met in Marijampolė, at the first Lithuanian girls’ grammar school founded by the Catholic educational and charitable association Žiburys. She taught Lithuanian language and history, taught weekly lessons for girls, and worked as the head of the school and dormitory. It was here that she struck up a long-lasting friendship, which lasted until the end of her life, with Janina Kairiūkštyte-Tumėnienė, a teacher of French and wife of the former Prime Minister of Lithuania, A. Tumėnas. The two women were united not only by their common activities, but also by their need for books and culture, and their concern for other people.