Mācītāja sieva un divpersonu karjera: Elzas Jendes un Mērijas Grīnbergas autobiogrāfiskās liecības

This paper aims to shed light on the joint careers of married couples, focusing on the often overlooked and extensive work performed by married women in support of their husbands’ careers, particularly through the lens of the pastor’s wife. Despite the significant role they play, clergymen’s wives have remained an understudied and marginalised population, with their voices often unheard in comparison with their clerical counterparts. This study contributes to the exploration of the lives and work of Latvian clergymen’s wives during the early 20th century, uncovering the scarcity of memoirs written by pastors’ wives and the significance of their narratives in revealing the hidden aspects of pastoral work, as well as the actions and activism of these women. The article delves into two unique testimonies, autobiographical accounts by Elza Jende and Mērija Grīnberga, who were pastors’ wives during specific periods of their lives. These autobiographies offer valuable insights into their personalities, contribute to the historical narrative, and foster a deeper understanding of the roles, interactions, and challenges faced by pastors’ wives. Additionally, the paper provides contextual information about the background, social milieu, family dynamics, and education of these two women, while also presenting a selective overview of the stereotypes and representations of the pastor’s wife in Latvian literary culture. Through this comprehensive exploration, the paper strives to bring visibility and recognition to the pivotal contributions made by clergymen’s wives within the broader context of a married couple’s joint career.