Rasuna Said: A Woman Who Fought Colonialism Through Words

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Every September 14, Indonesia commemorates the birth of Rasuna Said, one of the women who contributed to the country’s independence through education, politics, and writing. Born in Maninjau, West Sumatra, on September 14, 1910, Rasuna Said grew into a figure who actively advocated for the importance of education and the role of women in society.

From a young age, Rasuna Said was involved in education and nationalist organizations. She worked as a teacher and took part in various activities that encouraged women to gain knowledge and become more involved in social and national affairs.

Rasuna Said later became known as a bold orator who openly criticized the Dutch colonial government. In 1932, she was arrested after delivering a speech at a political gathering and was prosecuted under the colonial government’s spreekdelict regulation, which was used to suppress public criticism.

Her experience did not stop her struggle. After her release from prison, Rasuna Said remained active in education and later expanded her efforts through journalism.

In Medan, Rasuna Said led Menara Puteri, a magazine through which she expressed ideas about the independence movement while encouraging women to play a greater role in social and national affairs.

Rasuna Said’s struggle demonstrates that resistance to colonialism was not limited to political movements, but could also take the form of education, public speaking, and journalism. Her advocacy for women’s involvement in the national movement became part of the history of Indonesia’s women’s movement.

Rasuna Said was officially declared a National Hero of Indonesia in 1974. Today, she is remembered not only as a figure in Indonesia’s struggle for independence, but also as a symbol of women’s courage to express their ideas and contribute to social change.