Artukhina
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Vasilevna Artyukhina (6 November 1889 – 7 April 1969) was an early Russian Bolshevist and revolutionary who rose to the sit on the Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
, but was brought down by Joseph Stalin
's purges in the late 1930s.
The child of textile workers, Artyukhina became a dressmaker's apprentice at age ten, and a mill worker by 17. She joined the Communist labor movement in Russia, and was forced into exile at age 20 - probably in 1909. After three years, she returned to Russia and resumed her work, both in textiles and in union organizing.
She was active during the Revolution and rose through the ranks to sit as an alternate member on the Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
from 1926 to 1930. On March 1, 1931, international journalists noticed Artukhina as the first woman to sit on the Soviet Supreme Court, and described her as a small blonde with "bright blue eyes."
She assumed leadership of the Cotton Textile Workers Union when a Commissar of light industry, Isadore Lubimoff, was removed. A collective farm was named for her.
Her industry fell 11% short of its production goal for the first quarter of 1938. Artukhina and her subordinates were charged with allowing anti-Soviet wreckers to spread their corruption. She was accused of approving the same quotas for different machines, allowing the neglect of machines, and unnecessarily complicated paperwork.
After Stalin's death Artyukhina was rehabilitated. She was named a Hero of Socialist Labor
in 1960, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of International Women's Day
, and lies buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery
.
Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
The Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee was a key body within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and was responsible for the central administration of the party as opposed to drafting government policy which was usually handled by the Politburo...
, but was brought down by Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
's purges in the late 1930s.
The child of textile workers, Artyukhina became a dressmaker's apprentice at age ten, and a mill worker by 17. She joined the Communist labor movement in Russia, and was forced into exile at age 20 - probably in 1909. After three years, she returned to Russia and resumed her work, both in textiles and in union organizing.
She was active during the Revolution and rose through the ranks to sit as an alternate member on the Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
The Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee was a key body within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and was responsible for the central administration of the party as opposed to drafting government policy which was usually handled by the Politburo...
from 1926 to 1930. On March 1, 1931, international journalists noticed Artukhina as the first woman to sit on the Soviet Supreme Court, and described her as a small blonde with "bright blue eyes."
She assumed leadership of the Cotton Textile Workers Union when a Commissar of light industry, Isadore Lubimoff, was removed. A collective farm was named for her.
Her industry fell 11% short of its production goal for the first quarter of 1938. Artukhina and her subordinates were charged with allowing anti-Soviet wreckers to spread their corruption. She was accused of approving the same quotas for different machines, allowing the neglect of machines, and unnecessarily complicated paperwork.
After Stalin's death Artyukhina was rehabilitated. She was named a Hero of Socialist Labor
Hero of Socialist Labor
Hero of Socialist Labour was an honorary title in the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries. It was the highest degree of distinction for exceptional achievements in national economy and culture...
in 1960, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day , originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and...
, and lies buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery
Novodevichy Cemetery
Novodevichy Cemetery is the most famous cemetery in Moscow, Russia. It is next to the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, which is the city's third most popular tourist site. It should not be confused with the Novodevichy Cemetery in Saint Petersburg....
.
Honours and awards
- Hero of Socialist Labour (7 March 1960)
- Three Orders of Lenin