Archival Document Exhibition «Heroines in Greatcoats. Life as a Feat» or «Courage in Women’s Hands» at the State Archives in Orsha

On February 9, 2026, as part of the Year of Belarusian Women, the Zonal State Archives in Orsha prepared an archival document exhibition, «Heroines in Greatcoats. Life as a Feat» or «Courage in Women’s Hands», dedicated to the heroic labor of women living in the Orsha District of the Vitebsk Region who bravely fought for their homeland, to women who participated in the reconstruction of cities and villages after the end of the Great Patriotic War, and to heroine mothers.

Many women, whom we are accustomed to calling «weak», bravely went to the front as nurses, drivers, cavalrymen, anti-aircraft gunners, and even went into the forests as partisans. Women, not wanting to lag behind men, feeling they were equally capable of enduring the hardships of military service, and most importantly, asserting their equal rights to defend the Fatherland, rushed to join the army.

There was no military specialty that women did not master during the war. They proved themselves true patriots everywhere. For their courage, dedication, and heroism on the battlefield, 150,000 women were awarded orders and medals, and 90 became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

The exhibition features 57 archival documents and photographs from the collections of the State Archives in Orsha.

The exhibition is intended for a wide audience: schoolchildren, students, local historians, teachers, and anyone interested in the history of the Orsha region. Anyone is welcome to view the exhibition.