Clara Zetkin was a German Marxist theorist, communist activist, and advocate for women's rights.
Following the 1949 establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) the new state prohibited the wearing of all pre-1945 German decorations and created a new system of awards inspired in part by those of the USSR.
Jana Sorgers is a German rower who was a dominant sculler of her time, starting her career for the East German rowing team and continuing after the German reunification for the combined Germany for a few more years. Between 1986 and 1996, she won two Olympic gold medals, seven world championship titles, and nine national titles. Upon the conclusion of her successful career, she was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) – the highest honour in rowing.
Emma Ihrer was a German feminist and trade unionist who was active in founding societies to defend the rights of women workers.
The Scharnhorst Order was the highest medal awarded to members of the East German National People's Army (NVA). It was given for services to military or other strengthening of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Established on 17 February 1966 by the Council of Ministers of the GDR, it was awarded until the dissolution of the GDR in 1990.
The Medal for Exemplary Border Service was a national award issued in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was established on 28 May 1954, by the Council of Ministers of the GDR with Order No. 47/54 from the Ministry of Interior on 16 June 1954. The first presentation ceremony took place on 1 July 1954, to members of the German Border Police.
The Heinrich Greif Prize was an East German state award bestowed on individuals for contribution to the state's cinema and television industry.
The Art Prize of the German Democratic Republic was an East German state award bestowed on individuals for contributions in various fields of art.
The Patriotic Order of Merit was a national award granted annually in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was founded in 1954 and was awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions to the state and society in various areas of life.
The Medal Brotherhood in Arms of the National People’s Army was a medal issued in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Meritorious Military Pilot of the GDR was the highest honorary title awarded to military pilots of the East German National People's Army. It was given in form of a Medal. Established on August 1, 1974 by the Council of Ministers of the GDR, it was awarded until the dissolution of the GDR in 1990.
Ilse Thiele was an East German politician. She was a member of the powerful Central Committee of the country's ruling SED (party) between 1954 and 1989. She served as the Chair of the national Democratic Women's League from 1953 till 1989.
Käthe Dahlem was a German political activist who, after being forced into exile, became an anti-fascist Resistance activist, participating in the Spanish Civil War and, subsequently, again based in France. After 1945 she became a public official in the Soviet occupation zone. She was retired on health grounds in July 1949 and was subsequently caught up in her husband's difficulties with the ruling party, the party first secretary, Walter Ulbricht and other leading party comrades who had spent the war years in Moscow. By the 1960s, however, the authorities were happy to honour her pre-war and wartime contribution.
Friedel Apelt was a German political activist, trades union official and politician (KPD/SED). During the Nazi years she participated actively in anti-fascist resistance, and spent much of the time in prison or as a concentration camp internee. After the war she was able to resume her political career in the Soviet occupation zone.
Konstantin Zetkin was a German physician, social economist and political activist.
Barbara Müller, is a rower who represented East Germany in the 1960s. She was later a rowing coach for SG Dynamo Potsdam.
Else Merke was a member of the State Council of East Germany, the country's collective head of state, from 1963 until 1971.
Margarete Müller is a German retired politician who was a member of the State Council of East Germany and, between 1963 and 1989, of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). She was a candidate member of the SED politburo until the end of the one-party system.
Honoured Doctor of the People was the highest honorary title awarded to physicians in East Germany. It was given in form of a Medal. The title was stablished on March 31, 1949 and awarded every year on December 11, the birthday of Robert Koch.
