Getting to Know Our Ancestors - one of the main activities of the eTwinning project "We Are Valuable with Values" (02.02.2023)

In February 2023, the 5th graders participating in the implementation of the international eTwinning project "We Are Valuable with Values" celebrated the legacy of Ecaterina Teodoroiu, an inspirational Romanian young woman whose name has become the epitome of heroism for both the older and the younger generations.

Ecaterina Teodoroiu, 15 January 1894 – 3 September 1917, fought on the front and died in World War I, together with four members of her family (her three brothers and father.)

On this occasion, facilitated by the international eTwinning project, the Romanian pupils learned about this outstanding heroine, the ultimate personification of courage, patriotism and sacrifice, and identified qualities that could and should be emulated by the younger generations of Romanians: altruism, bravery, determination, selflessness, solidarity, strength, leadership etc. 

 A Romanian Scouts member, she had initially worked as a nurse, but she decided to become a front-line soldier, being deeply impressed by the patriotism of the wounded and the death of her brother Nicolae, a sergeant in the Romanian Army. It was an unusual decision for a woman of that era, so she was sent to the front rather reluctantly. However, with the support of the Romanian royal family, she was able to serve in the military and eventually came to be seen as a symbol.

For her bravery, Ecaterina Teodoroiu was awarded the "Scout Virtue" Medal and the Military Virtue Medal, 2nd Class, on 10 March 1917. On 17 March 1917 she was awarded the Military Virtue Medal, 1st Class, made honorary Second Lieutenant (Sublocotenent) by King Ferdinand and given the command of a 25-man platoon in the 7th Company (43/59 Infantry Regiment, 11th Division), commanded by Second Lieutenant Gheorghe Mănoiu. Thus, she became the first female Romanian Army officer. After the war, Ecaterina Teodoroiu was elevated to the status of a heroine of the Romanian people. Henri Berthelot even named her the "Joan of Arc of Romania" for her outstanding bravery, patriotism and self-sacrifice. (Information source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecaterina_Teodoroiu)