Maria Cândea (; October 2, 1889 – April 16, 1974) was a Romanian French language and literature teacher, Doctor of Letters from the University of Paris (Sorbonne), who founded and led as School director the Queen Marie Normal School for Girls in Ploiești. Short history of the National Pedagogical College „Regina Maria” Ploiești
Biography
Maria Cândea (née Antoniade) was born on October 2, 1889, in Galați.
On September 27, 1923, she married Constantin Cândea (born December 15, 1887, Mărgineni, Bacău County – died March 4, 1971, Bucharest), a university professor, Doctor Docent, habilitatus engineer in chemistry, rector of Politehnica University of Timișoara, member of Parliament, and member of the Romanian Academy of Sciences.
Their marriage resulted in two children: Mioara-Rodica Cândea, married Georgescu, an architect (born July 9, 1924, Ploiești – died September 13, 2017, Montreal) and Ioan-Radu Cândea, a civil engineer (born September 24, 1925, Ploiești – died February 11, 2016, Bucharest).
Maria Cândea passed away on April 16, 1974, in Bucharest at the age of 84. She is buried at Bellu Cemetery, Plot 4.
Education and early career
Maria Cândea (then Maria Antoniade) graduated from the "Vasile Alecsandri" High School in Galați, modern section, where her philosophy teacher was Florian Ștefănescu-Goangă.
Between 1910 and 1914, she attended the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy of the University of Bucharest, specializing in Romance philology, and obtained her Bachelor's degree in 1914. In the 1912–1913 academic year, she was a third-year student, Yearbook of the University of Bucharest for the academic year 1912–1913 Dim. C. Ionescu Professional Printing House, 1913 and beginning January 1, 1914, she received a scholarship from the "Carol I" University Foundation, together with her sister, Aspasia Antoniade, who was enrolled in the same year and at the same faculty. Scholarship recipients of the Carol I Foundation at the University of Bucharest Faculty of Letters Official Gazette no. May 30, 19, 1914, p.1519
During her studies at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Bucharest, Maria Antoniade attended the lectures of prominent figures of Romanian culture and science, including Ovid Densusianu, professor of Romance philology, Ion Bianu, Nicolae Iorga, Simion Mehedinți, Dimitrie Onciul, Vasile Pârvan, Constantin Rădulescu-Motru, Eugen Lovinescu, Iuliu Valaori, Dumitru Evolceanu, Pompiliu Eliade, and Constantin Giurescu.
She corresponded with the philologist Ovid Densusianu, one of her professors; her letters were published in the volume Scrisori către Ovid Densușianu (Letters to Ovid Densușianu), vol. I (Minerva Publishing house, Bucharest, 1979). Liviu Onu, Ileana Vîrtosu, Maria Rafailă Letters to Ovid Densușianu, vol. I Minerva Publishing House, Bucharest, 1979
Beginning May 1, 1911, she was appointed to the central administration of the Ministry of Domains as a typist in the Architecture Office. The Movement from Domains Universul No. 124 from May 9, 1911, p.3 On April 1, 1912, she was transferred within the same ministry to the Directorate of Agriculture, in the Secretariat Office. The Great Movement at Domenii Dimineața No. 2890 of March 22, 1912, p.4 She carried out this work in parallel with her university studies.
Her academic training thus took place in a high-level intellectual environment, during the formative period of the modern Romanian schools of philology, history, philosophy, and the humanities.
Between 1914 and 1916, she continued her academic training in France, obtaining her doctorate in Letters from the University of Paris (Sorbonne). George Trohani Pompiliu Eliade – seminar papers by his students, National Museum vol. 33, National Museum of Romanian History, 2021
In 1916, she passed the qualifying examinations in Romanian language, French language, Latin, and philosophy, thereby earning the right to teach at the secondary-school level. The qualifying exams. Successful candidates for French, Romanian, and philosophy Minerva no. 2607 of March 23, 1916, p.2
Activity within the Red Cross (1916–1918) During World War I, Maria Cândea (then Maria Antoniade) carried out volunteer work with the Romanian Red Cross, serving at the "Queen Elisabeth Polyclinic" Hospital in Bucharest, an institution located in the building that today houses the Foișor Orthopedics Hospital. History of the Foișor Orthopedic Hospital There, she was involved in caring for wounded soldiers, contributing to medical assistance activities and providing moral support to hospitalized servicemen.
Her sisters, Aspasia Antoniade and Elena M. Antoniade, were also involved in this work, their names being mentioned in the press of the time among the ladies and young women who cared for the wounded. „Policlinica Regina Elisabeta” Hospital Universul No. 249 of September 10, 1916, p.3 Their dedication and concern for the hospitalized soldiers were publicly acknowledged: in a note published in the press, soldiers who had been treated in one of the hospital wards expressed their gratitude by name to Miss Maria Antoniade and the other volunteers, thanking them for the care they had received, “which they would never forget for the rest of their lives.” From the wounded Dimineața no. 4527 of October 7, 1916, p.3
Her involvement in these activities reflects not only the civic spirit of the Antoniade family, but also her upbringing in an intellectual environment in which duty to the community was considered an integral part of education. The experience she gained during the war – organization, discipline, teamwork, and assuming responsibility in critical situations – contributed to shaping her later profile as an educator and organizer of school institutions.
Teaching and Leadership Activity On November 10, 1918, Maria (Antoniade) Cândea founded and served as principal of the Girls’ Preparatory School for Teachers in Gherghița. In 1919, this institution was transformed into the Girls’ Normal School "Queen Maria," and in 1920 it was moved to Ploiești, still under her leadership, to the building where it continues to operate today as the National Pedagogical College Regina Maria.
Maria (Antoniade) Cândea served as principal of the Girls’ Normal School "Queen Maria" from its founding in 1918 until the autumn of 1931, being reconfirmed in this position twice: beginning in March 1926 by Royal Decree no. 607 of February 15, 1926, published in the Official Gazette no. 64 of March 18, 1926 Royal Decree No. 607 of February 15, 1926 Official Gazette No. 64 of March 18, 1926, p.32 and beginning April 1, 1931, by Royal Decree no. 819 of March 20, 1931, published in the Official Gazette no. 75 of March 31, 1931. Royal Decree No. 819 of March 20, 1931 Official Gazette No. 75 of March 31, 1931, p.5
Because her husband, Professor Dr. Eng. Constantin Cândea, was a university professor at the Politehnica University of Timișoara, Maria Cândea transferred, effective September 1, 1931, from the Girls’ Normal School in Ploiești (French Department) to the Boys’ Normal School in Timișoara – today the Jean Louis Calderon Theoretical High School – to Chair no. 2 of Romanian and Latin, by Decision of the Minister of Instruction, Religious Affairs and Arts no. 124,695 of August 26, 1931, published in the Official Gazette no. 227 of September 29, 1931. Decision No. 124,695 of August 26, 1931 Official Gazette No. 227 of September 29, 1931, p.21
According to Decision of the Minister of National Education no. 116,907 of July 2, 1939, published in the Official Gazette no. 152 of July 5, 1939, Maria Cândea, then a teacher at the Boys’ Normal School in Timișoara, was appointed, effective September 1, 1939, to Chair no. 3 of Romanian Language at the Girls’ High School "Carmen Sylva" in Timișoara. Decision No. 116,907 of July 2, 1939 Official Gazette No. 152 of July 5, 1939, p.17
Activity in Ploiești (1919–1931) Maria Cândea carried out extensive teaching, administrative, and cultural activity in Ploiești as headmistress of the Girls’ Normal School "Regina Maria.”
On November 16, 1920, the Girls’ Normal School in Ploiești was inaugurated in a solemn ceremony. The event took place in the presence of local authorities and the public, following a religious service, and the principal of the institution, Miss Maria Antoniade, delivered an official speech. On this occasion, a fundraising collection was also organized, the funds being intended for the material improvements needed by the school. The "Dimineața" Telephone Ploiești Dimineața no. 5138 of November 17, 1920, p.8
As happened every year, in July 1926, in her capacity as headmistress, she took part in the end-of-year celebration of the Girls’ Normal School "Regina Maria" in Ploiești, a public event dedicated to presenting the pupils’ educational and artistic activities. End-of-year celebration at the Regina Maria Normal School for Girls in Ploiești Ramp no. 2602 from July 2, 1926, p.3
As part of the events marking the 10th anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia, organized in Ploiești on May 4, 1928, Maria Cândea participated alongside Professor Dr. Constantin Cândea. How the 10th anniversary of Bessarabia's union was celebrated in the country Universul no. 101 of May 4, 1928, p.5
Under her leadership, on May 6, 1928, the Girls’ Normal School of Ploiești organized in the commune of Teișani, Prahova County, a large cultural and educational event that included a teachers’ cultural circle, pedagogical presentations, and a popular celebration with the participation of pupils, local authorities, and a large audience from neighboring villages. Cultural celebration in the commune of Teișani, Prahova County Dimineața no. 7696 of May 15, 1928, p.1
On the occasion of the International Congress of Thalassotherapy held in Ploiești on May 15, 1928, the pupils of the Girls’ Normal School presented an artistic program in the hall of the National Houses, consisting of musical moments and national dances, the event being organized under the coordination of the institution she led. Excursion of the members of the thalassotherapy congress to the Prahova Valley. Reception at Ploiești railway station Dimineața no. 7709 of May 15, 1928, p.3
In June 1928, Maria Cândea was among the members of the organizing committee for the public festivities held on Independence Boulevard in Ploiești, aimed at raising funds for the construction of an aerodrome near the city. Aviation propaganda in Ploiești, Celebrations on Independence Boulevard. Construction of an aerodrome Adevărul no. 13651 of June 23, 1928, p.5
As part of the celebration of 10 years since the Union with Transylvania, a school gathering took place on December 1, 1928, at the Girls’ Normal School in Ploiești, School celebrations Cuvântul No. 1300 of December 3, 1928, p.3 and on December 23, 1928, the Christmas Tree celebration was held, during which Maria Cândea delivered a speech and gifts were offered to pupils from modest families. Celebration of the normal school for girls Word No. 1321 of December 24, 1928, p.3
In April 1929, she was elected a member of the committee of the "Cultul Patriei" Society, in her capacity as principal of the Girls’ Normal School in Ploiești. Meeting of the "Cultul Patriei" society Curentul no. 444 of April 13, 1929, p.4
In the context of the inauguration of the rural library of 1,300 volumes in the commune of Măneciu, Prahova County, on June 9, 1929, Maria Cândea participated in the cultural event organized by the School Inspectorate of Region VIII Bucharest, alongside representatives of the educational and local authorities, delivering a speech on this occasion. Establishment of the village library in the commune of Măneciu-Ungureni (Prahova County) Dreptatea no. 498 of June 12, 1929, p.2