Dorothea Schittenhelm
Dorothea Schittenhelm, born on May 7, 1954 in Strem (Burgenland), is an Austrian politician and a Member of Parliament for the ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei, Austrian People's Party) since 2007.
Political career
Dorothea Schittenhelm has been municipal councilor in Bisamberg (1990-1995) and Vice-Mayor of the municipality (1995-2000). In 2000, she was elected mayor. Schittenhelm was the District Party chairwoman of the ÖVP Korneuburg from 1996 to 2008 and has been the country head of the Austrian women's movement in Lower Austria since 2000. From 1997 to 2007, she represented the People's Party as a Member of the Lower Austrian Landtag, and on February 1, 2007, she moved to the National Council, after Werner Fasslabend resigned his mandate. Dorothea Schittenhelm was elected in Innsbruck on November 20, 2010, with 97.7% of the delegates' votes , as the Chair of the ÖVP women, and thus succeeded Maria Rauch-Kallat in this role.
Education
Dorothea Schittenhelm attended the elementary school in Strem from 1960 to 1964 and after that the main school in Güssing. In 1968, she moved to the Polytechnic course in Güssing and trained from 1969 to 1973 as a dental assistant.
Notable work
In 2012, Dorothea Schittenhelm was awarded the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich). The decoration comprises 15 grades and is Austria's highest national honour. She also received the Silver Commander's Cross of Honour for Services to the State of Lower Austria in 2014.
