A memorial plaque for Anna Sinawastin: Floridsdorf honors its benefactor!

A memorial plaque for Anna Sinawastin: Floridsdorf honors its benefactor!

In a small but beautiful alley in the Floridsdorf district there is now an information board that commemorates the life of the remarkable Anna Sinawastin. This servant and benefactor, who lived from 1825 to 1891, is often considered a pioneer of social welfare in her community. Her estate of 3,950 guilders, which she left for poor housemaids, represents a significant contribution to poor relief in Floridsdorf. The plaque, which was recently erected, marks the beginning of Sinawastingasse, which was named after her in 1901 - a rarity in a time when only men were often given such honors, as the Kurier reports.

Fortunately, Anna Sinawastin has not only disappeared from the memory of Floridsdorf residents. Her name lives on, both in the alley and in the hearts of the people who benefited from her charity. She worked for the Schwaiger merchant family for over 30 years, to whom an alley is also dedicated. The decision to set up the board goes back to a resolution from 1927, but the application for implementation was only submitted to the district council two years ago. Hannes Neumayer, who reported on Sinawastin, sees the new board as an opportunity to revive the Anna Sinawastin Fund, which was set up to support the poor in Floridsdorf.

A look into history

The Sinawastingasse itself, which serves as the main cycle route and leads to the Danube via the Steinitzsteg, was officially named on May 9, 1900. Anna Sinawastin is believed to have been born between 1825 and 1832, although precise details about her date of birth are lacking. Her life story shows how women and workers received hardly any honors in the form of street names during this time. In Vienna, out of a total of 4,466 streets named after people, only 509 are women, which illustrates the great imbalance in street naming.

Before her death in 1891, Anna Sinawastin suffered from pneumonia and died in Floridsdorf at the age of 64. Her Foundation for Impoverished Aged Servants was, after her death, the second largest private foundation of its kind in the area. An entry in the death register records her death and the community's efforts to cover the costs of her burial - a sign of respect given to her posthumously.

A legacy of charity

The foundation that Anna left behind grew in the years after her death to an asset value of 7,334 crowns, which is equivalent to around 54,000 euros today. This sum testifies to their great commitment to the needy household helpers in Floridsdorf, who continue to benefit from their inheritance to this day.

The memorial plaque on Sinawastingasse is not only a sign of appreciation for Anna Sinawastin, but also a reminder that social responsibility and community help never go out of style. Her story is an inspiring example for everyone who wants to care for the weaker in our society. The Kurier and the DFZ report that it is now time to honor her memory and actively contribute to supporting the poor in Floridsdorf.