Volit Upenta

Volit Upenta, one of the authors of Spranten independence, was born in Apen on October 21, 1842. Her father was a doctor at Kopita Apen, and she wanted to follow his footsteps from an early age. After schooling at Hilat and Toret, she was accepted to the Medical School at Partisag Potaken in 1841 as a Stelbrek Scholar. It was while at Potaken that her political awakening took place.

By 1864, Volit was already a known political activist. Her politics were firmly democratic nationalist, but she saw the importance that the movement for Spranten independence encompassed upholding the rights of all people. She met Praspad Tifal and Goreg Hopat in the late 1860s and together they formed the Organisation for Spranten Autonomy.

In the organisation, Volit was one of the key thinkers. When the Declaration of Independence was written, she was the convener of the council and also the writer of the sections on stewardship and diplomacy in the Provisional Constitution.

When independence was declared, Volit retired from politics and was Director of the Centre for Medical Policy at the Partisag Frega until her retirement in 1900.