As Saparinah Sadli turns 100 on Aug. 24, she stands not only as a witness to a century of Indonesian history, but as an active shaper of the country’s social conscience.A pioneering psychologist, a founder of gender studies in Indonesia and a fierce defender of human rights, Ibu Sap, as she is fondly known, has turned intellectual thought into bold leadership, combining courage with a distinctly feminine spirit of compassion.
Choosing her own path
Born in 1926 during the Dutch colonial period, Saparinah grew up in a privileged social environment. Her father was a civil servant in the Netherlands Indies administration, giving her access to a European education. Yet at home, traditional customs prevailed. Her father received the best food, while her brother enjoyed freedoms she did not.
Perhaps it was this early experience that helped shape her independent spirit.
Her family steered her toward pharmacy, but Saparinah was inspired instead by the determination of Marie Curie. As a girl, she would climb the tallest tree in the garden and bury herself in books, including Curie’s biography. Curie became her role model, but it was the human psyche and the dignity of human beings that would become the lifelong focus of her work.
