Marianne Birthler

Marianne Birthler was a German politician and civil rights activist. One of the figures involved in the 1989 revolution, she was active in Bündnis 90 and served as its chair from 1991 to 1993. From 1990 to 1992, she was Brandenburg’s Minister for Education, Youth and Sport. From 2000 to 2011, she served as Federal Commissioner for the Records of the State Security Service of the former GDR. In recognition of her commitment to democracy and historical policy, she received, among other honors, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with Star in 2011.