Two Cologne women are changing Vingst: Committed to the community!

Two Cologne women are changing Vingst: Committed to the community!

There are two remarkable women in Cologne-Vingst who stand out for their remarkable volunteer work and their tireless commitment to the community. Ute Liebetrau and Gisela Hennerici have been committed for decades and have shaped social life in their area. Their stories are inspiring and show how important volunteer work is in our society.

Ute Liebetrau, 68 years old, has had a long career in accounting for a well-known car company and has been working in this area for 42 years. After the loss of her husband and her resulting divorce, she didn't want to sit idle at home. Instead, she pitched in and got involved in a variety of ways. Ute has been active in the Hövi-Land holiday campaign for 23 years, where she supports workshops and looks after the mobile dishwashing machine. She has also been a presbyter in her Protestant church community for 17 years and has also left her mark in children's services. Before the pandemic, she worked as a “green lady” at Kalk Hospital and looked after patients. “The gratitude I experience when I volunteer is priceless,” she says.

Gisela Hennerici, who is no less active at 83, also has an impressive resume. As a trained shorthand secretary, she worked for the city of Cologne for 25 years, including 10 years in the anteroom of former mayor Norbert Burger. Her commitment to the Lustheider Straße community primary school in Vingst aims to help teachers and children with special needs. Gisela has also been active at Hövi-Land for 25 years and is involved in numerous activities in the Protestant church, including church services, Bible groups and community festivals. Her concerns about neglected children led her to also organize pilgrimages with the Catholic community. During her career she also worked as an election officer for 60 years.

Commitment and honors

Both women are characterized not only by their many years of work, but also by the numerous honors they have received. Gisela Hennerici was awarded the Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Volunteer Award of the City of Cologne and the Kekiz Award of the State SPD. Ute Liebetrau has already received the Cologne Volunteer Award twice. These awards are not only a recognition of their hard work, but also a symbol of the importance of volunteer work in our society. According to the Statista In 2025, around 16.9 million people in Germany would volunteer - a true pillar of our active society!

What drives these two committed women? Ute Liebetrau wanted to remain active after her retirement and separation from her husband. She goes through life openly and speaks to people regardless of their appearance or profession. Gisela Hennerici, on the other hand, finds fulfillment in meeting adults who have learned to read from her and has a clear vision for the future: disadvantaged children should receive more support so that they are provided with the same educational resources without being dependent on their parents.

Future prospects

Ute and Gisela's future plans are just as impressive. Ute Liebetrau is thinking about abolishing e-scooter traffic in Cologne in order to create clearer sidewalks and a more beautiful cityscape. Gisela Hennerici is committed to ensuring that parents do not have to pay for teaching materials and that disadvantaged children receive appropriate support.

We see how important these principles are not only in the initiatives of Ute and Gisela, but also in the work of the German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering. This foundation has set itself the goal of strengthening volunteer work and offers various support services. In addition, the 77th birthday of the Basic Law will be celebrated on May 23, 2026 with a nationwide participation campaign that is intended to further promote awareness of volunteerism.

Cohesion in the community, the active engagement of citizens, as well as the recognition and promotion of voluntary work are essential to ensure a vibrant and strong society in the future. Gisela and Ute are two impressive examples of those who take their hearts into their hands and stand up for their fellow human beings.