3.2 Sava and Jolanda

Home Offshore Women Sava and Jolanda

Two pioneers of the seas

Sava Kaluža (Ilirska Bistrica, 17 June 1929 – Lucija, 4 October 2014) and Jolanda Gruden in Mažer (Aurisina, 9 May 1930 – Rijeka, 24 January 2014) were the first Slovenian and Yugoslav female sailors to complete nautical studies (both at the Portorož Nautical School) and to embark on merchant ships. Since their enrollment in that “male” school, they became “interesting” in the eyes of the authorities and in general for the whole of society, convinced that a delicate girl could not carry out those heavy physical jobs, which had previously been the exclusive prerogative of men. Their training and service on ships had a pioneering character, becoming a role model for many girls who decided to attend that school. At the end of 1952, both were forced to disembark and stopped working onboard the ships of the “Jugolinija” company.

In their own way, both were linked to the sea, seafaring, and ships for most of their lives. Sava Kaluža was employed by the Slovenian shipping company “Splošna plovba Piran” for most of her career. Jolanda Gruden married a seafarer, devoting herself to the role of a sailor’s wife. Motherhood and family commitments anchored both women to the mainland. Enrollment and attendance of a “male institute”, obtaining the high school leaving certificate, undergoing cadet training, sitting (and passing) the exam for the rank of lieutenant, and employment with the companies “Jugolinija” and “Slošna plovba” of Sava and Yolanda represent the entry of Slovenian and Yugoslav women into a traditionally male professional environment. They were emancipated girls, initiators of something innovative; extraordinarily modern women for their time, who paved the way in an undoubtedly avant-garde field.

Nadja Terčon
Pomorski muzej – Museo del mare »Sergej Mašera« Piran – Pirano

3.2.a

Sava and Jolanda

Sava Kaluža and Jolanda Gruden in the port of Piran in 1948
Fig. 3.2.a – Sava and Jolanda in the port of Piran in 1948.
(PMSMP)

3.2.b

Pupils

Pupils aboard the ship “Viševica” in the port of Koper on 15 August 1948
Fig. 3.2.b – Pupils aboard the ship “Viševica” in the port of Koper on 15 August 1948, awaiting the departure for their first educational navigation in the Adriatic. In the foreground, Sava Kaluža and Jolanda Gruden.
(PMSMP) (PMSMP)

3.2.c

Viševica

Sava Kaluža and Jolanda Gruden on the mast of the training ship “Viševica” in the summer of 1948
Fig. 3.2.c – Sava Kaluža and Jolanda Gruden on the mast of the training ship “Viševica” in the summer of 1948.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco e Alida Mažer, S. Lucia)

3.2.d

Sava’s documents

Sava Kaluža’s navigation booklet
Fig. 3.2.d – Sava Kaluža’s navigation booklet.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco).

3.2.e

Jolanda’s documents

Jolanda Gruden’s navigation booklet
Fig. 3.2.e – Jolanda Gruden’s navigation booklet.
(PMSMP)

3.2.f

Hrvatska

Sava Kaluža-Špic and Jolanda Gruden-Joli on the ship “Hrvatska”
Fig. 3.2.f – Sava Kaluža-Špic and Jolanda Gruden-Joli on the ship “Hrvatska”.
(PMSMP)

3.2.g

Sailing

Sava and Jolanda on the ship “Hrvatska
Fig. 3.2.g – Sava and Jolanda on the ship “Hrvatska”.
(propr. Alida Mažer, S. Lucia)

3.2.h

Upward

Sava and Jolanda on the ship’s chimney
Fig. 3.2.h – On the ship’s chimney.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco, S. Lucia)

3.2.i

On deck

Sava and Jolanda on the deck of the ship “Hrvatska”
Fig. 3.2.i – Sava and Jolanda on the deck of the ship “Hrvatska”.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco, S. Lucia)

3.2.l

Purser

Sava Kaluža in charge of cabin on the ship Bled
Fig. 3.2.l – Sava served as purser in charge of cabin, cleaning and laundry services on the ship “Bled”.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco, S. Lucia)

3.2.m

Family portrait

The Mažer family
Fig. 3.2.m – The Mažer family: Jolanda with her husband Srečko and daughters Alida and Alenka.
(propr. Alida Mažer, S. Lucia)

3.2.n

Mom Sava

Sava and her baby
Fig. 3.2.n – In February 1963, Sava became a mother.
(propr. Tamara Kaluža Pocecco, S. Lucia).

3 Offshore Women

3.3 Figureheads and Mermaids