Alice Schwarz-Solivo
Alice Schwarz-Solivo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 12, 1875 Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Died | April 7, 1965 Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| NSA member | Germany & Austria, 1922 - 1937 |
| Spouse(s) | Albert Schwarz |
Alice Schwarz born Solivo (July 12, 1875 - April 7, 1965) was an early German Bahá'í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria and as editor of Die Sonne der Wahrheit. She helped establish a Bahá'í Publishing Trust and translated some Bahá'í articles into German.
Biography[edit]
Alice was born in Stuttgart in 1875. Her father Heinrich Solivo was a Bavarian industrialist. She was raised in Stuttgart and in Echaztal on the Alb. She was raised as a Protestant. At some point she married Albert Schwarz.
In 1912 Alice and her husband were introduced to the Faith by Edwin Fisher, an American Bahá'í pioneer, and the following year they met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when he visited Germany and he visited their home. She later met Shoghi Effendi when she and Albert went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1922, having been summoned by the Guardian to confer with him.[1] When the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria was established later in 1922 Alice was elected as an inaugural member as was her husband. By 1925 she was serving as editor of Die Sonne der Wahrheit, the official magazine of the Bahá'ís of Germany.[2] In 1927 she gave the first public lecture on the Faith in Munich.[3]
Albert passed away in 1931. He had served as Chairman of the National Assembly up until his passing.[4] Shortly after his passing Alice was elected Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.[5] In the mid 1930's she was noted as the oldest active Bahá'í teacher of Germany.[6] Under the Nazi regime the National Spiritual Assembly was dissolved in 1937, and Alice's home was raided with her Bahá'í literature being seized. Her home was destroyed and she went to live with her daughter in Tyrol until the end of WWII when she returned to Germany.
She passed away in Stuttgart in 1965, only a short time prior to what would have been her 90th birthday.[7] A prayer revealed for her by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was read at her funeral:
"To the Handmaid of God, Mrs. Alice Schwarz, above her is Bahá’u’lláh.
O God! O God! In truth this Thy handmaid is dressed in Thy holy fragrances, and she has turned her face towards Thy merciful countenance. Destine for her all good in Thy Kingdom and let Thy blessings descend upon this noble family. Allow the lights of Thy mercy to surround them in all eternity and grant them the shield of Thy protection and support. Verily, Thou art the Charitable, the Mighty and the Giver of all Mercy."[8]
The Universal House of Justice cabled the following after her passing:
"Grieved (to learn of) passing (of) dearly loved Alice Schwarz. Offering prayers (at the) Holy Shrines (in) praise (and) gratitude (for) her life (of) devoted service (to the) Faith. Supplicating progress (of) her soul (in the) Abhá Kingdom."[9]
References[edit]
- Obituary published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 14, pp 377-378.
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Baha'i News (1973). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 511, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1926). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 1 (1925-1926), Pg(s) 108. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News Letter (1927). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. No 17, Pg(s) 15. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1933). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 4 (1930-1932), Pg(s) 264-266. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1936). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 5 (1932-1934), Pg(s) 428. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1937). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. New York City, NY. Volume 6 (1934-1936), Pg(s) 42. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1965). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 411, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1974). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 14 (1963-1968), Pg(s) 378. View as PDF.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1965). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 411, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
