Gertrude of Hackeborn (1232–1292) was the abbess of the Benedictine convent of Helfta, near Eisleben in modern Germany.
She founded the convent of Hederleben in 1253 with the help of her two brothers, Albert and Louis, but it suffered from a lack of water, so she received the castle of Helpeda (Helfta) and its surrounding land from them and moved her community there in 1258.
[3][4] Gertrude required her nuns to be educated in the liberal arts, but most importantly in the Bible.
[1] She is described as a cultured woman of remarkable character, uniting love, gentleness, and piety with practical wisdom, and good sense.
[5] Under the leadership of the Abbess Gertrude, the monastery at Helfta was highly regarded for its spiritual and intellectual vitality.