1857-1868: The beginning period of the women's
movement. The first “Charity Women's Group” was
founded on February 12, 1857 in Lom (a town located at
the Danube river). Note that the country was liberated from
the Turkish yoke in 1878.

One of the goals of the movement is vividly expressed in
the code of the movement:

"... We must help teaching girls in science by providing
various tools for experimental work, geographical maps,
and textbooks of contemporary problems. ... ."

1896: A group of women and men, headed by Ekaterina
Stoichkova, introduced the first petition in the National
Assembly for admitting women in the University of Sofia.

1901, October: The University of Sofia admitted its first
regular female students.

1909: "The Union of the Progressive Women" handed a
petition to the 14th National Assembly requesting changes
in the election law granting election rights to the
women.

1927: A law for dismissing married women teachers with a
20 year long teaching practice and having completed 40
years of age came into force. On this occasion the
Bulgarian Women Association (established in 1901)
organized a public action and raised the appeal: criterion
for the appointment and dismissal should be the
professional qualification and the working abilities of the
person, and not the sex.

1939: Restricted election rights were granted to women
came into force after 1944.

1945, July: The Constituent Congress of the Bulgarian
People's Women's Union.

"Shall we be heard – this depends on us. We must do so
that our voice be heard."