Gerda Steyn

Gerda Steyn was born on May 3, 1952, in Pretoria, South Africa. She is a South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, and author. She is the co-founder of the Black Sash, a human rights organization that fought against apartheid in South Africa. She is also a former member of the South African Parliament and was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the National Assembly.

Steyn was born into a family of Afrikaners, the dominant white population group in South Africa. Her father was a doctor and her mother was a nurse. Steyn attended the University of Pretoria, where she studied law. She became involved in the anti-apartheid movement while she was a student. In 1972, she co-founded the Black Sash, which provided legal and other assistance to victims of apartheid. The Black Sash was one of the most prominent anti-apartheid organizations in South Africa.

Steyn was arrested several times for her anti-apartheid activities. In 1976, she was sentenced to six months in prison for her role in a Black Sash protest against the government's forced removal of black people from their homes. She was released from prison after serving four months of her sentence.

In 1994, Steyn was elected to the South African Parliament as a member of the African National Congress (ANC). She served in the Parliament until 2004, and was the Speaker of the National Assembly from 1999 to 2004. Steyn is the author of several books about her experiences in the anti-apartheid movement. She is a recipient of the Order of the Baobab, a South African award for distinguished service.

Steyn is a courageous and inspiring woman who has dedicated her life to fighting for justice and equality. She is a role model for all those who believe in the power of peaceful resistance.