Bertha Wellin

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Bertha Wallin qualified as a nurse at Sophiahemmet [Queen Sophia Hospital] in Stockholm and worked, among other things, with child care and poor relief in Svenska fattigvårdsförbundet [Swedish poor relief union]. In 1911-1933 she was the editor of Svensk sjuksköterskeförening, a post that she held until 1933.

Bertha Wallin worked also politically to improve the nurses’ conditions. She was member of Allmänna valmansförbundet [General electors’ union], predecessor to Högerpartiet [Swedish Conservative Party] and Moderata samlingspartiet [The Moderate Party]. In 1922-1936 she was the party’s representative in parliament. She was the author of bills concerning nurses’ improved options for retirement and higher salaries for women. She made frequent journeys across the country, lecturing for the Conservative Party’s women’s associations.

Bertha Wallin was a member of the medical care committee of Fredrika Bremer-förbundet, and secretary of the working committee for the collaboration of nurses in the Nordic countries. In 1935 she was awarded the Florence Nightingale medal.

Further readings about Bertha Wellin
Nicklasson, Stina, Sophiasystern som blev politiker : Bertha Wellin : pionjär för moderat politik. - Stockholm, 1995.

Writings by Bertha Wellin
Amatörsjukvård. - Stockholm, 1917.
Kärleksverksamhet och omhändertagande : föredrag. - Stockholm, 1932.
Reservkårsfrågan : [Röda korset. Sv.]. - Stockholm, 1916.
Sjukhusens ekonomi och sjuksköterskorna. - Stockholm, 1909.