Fashion editor Janina Nectara wins battle to put women on Romanian banknotes for first time

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Dec 22, 2021

Fashion editor Janina Nectara has won a significant battle with the world of finance as a campaign succeeded in putting the first named woman ever on a Romanian banknote.

 
A prominent front-row fixture at shows in Milan and Paris, Nectara launched the campaign back in 2018 to convince her country’s central bank to feature a woman on the local currency, the Leu. The new 20 lei ($4.50) note began circulating this month bearing the image of World War One lieutenant Ecaterina Teodoroiu.
 
"Throughout history... hundreds of notable women have helped Romania move forward, but since the birth of the Romanian leu none of their names have been honored on one of the strongest national symbols, banknotes,” said Nectara. She founded the campaign entitled Femei pe Bancnote, suggesting a list of 100 female figures, including Teodoroiu, scientists, doctors, artists and professors as possible candidates.

Born in 1894, Teodoroiu served as a nurse during World War I, becoming a combatant after her four brothers died in battle. After rising through the ranks and winning commendations for valor, she died on the front lines in 1917 at age 23.

 
"We needed a permanent example that women also made history. It is important to give equal merit," added Nectara, who began her career with Fashion Wire Daily in Paris; has written for multiple Vogues; hosted her own national TV fashion show; and been named one of Gucci’s Chime for Change ambassadors.
 
This month Janina – as she is universally known by hundreds of street photographers and her 95K Instagram followers - appeared on the cover of the local edition of Q Magazine, holding an inflated copy of the Teodoroiu banknote.
 
The central bank, which has an all-male board, is hosting an exhibit dedicated to Teodoroiu from Dec. 6, showcasing personal items including her bullet-dented helmet and blood-stained munitions bag.