Prominent Women and Men

There were several women and also some men who were actively engaged in the struggle for women’s franchise. Some of them are presented here.

Other significant persons

Hilma Borelius, 1869-1932, literary historian; activist in the movement for women’s liberation and suffrage. Chairwoman of Lunds kvinnliga studentförening (‘Women Students’ Union in Lund’), 1900-1903, and of the FKPR (‘The Association for Women’s Political Franchise’) branch in Lund, 1903-1908. In 1910, she became the first Scandinavian female Senior Lecturer in history of literature. Member of Fredrika Bremer-förbundet and diligent contributor to articles in Hertha.

Emilia Broomé, 1866-1925, liberal social politician and peace activist. Member of the central board of Stockholms frisinnade valmansförening (‘The Association for Liberal Electors in Stockholm’); in 1914-1920 Chairwoman of Föreningen frisinnade kvinnor (‘The Association for Liberal Women’) - thereafter active within Sveriges liberala parti (‘Liberal Party of Sweden’). Working for better housing conditions for self-supporting women and large families. She was the first Swedish woman participating in the legislative work when she, as member of the law-drafting committee 1914-1918, contributed to the elaboration of the new Marriage Code.

Ellen Hagen, 1873-1967, Chairwoman of FKPR (‘The Association for Women’s Political Franchise’) in Uppsala 1903-1923. Participated in the creation of LKPR and was a member of its central board. Peace activist, one of the delegates of the disarmament conference in Paris in 1931 and of many other international conferences. Member of the committee in charge of the coalition of the liberal parties, 1933-1934, participated in the formation of Folkpartiets kvinnoförbund (‘The Association for Women in the Liberal People’s Party’). One of the promoters of the journal Tidevarvet.

Sigrid Kruse, 1867-?, teacher from Karlskrona. One of those considering that franchise and temperance were associated issues. Participated in several meetings at the central committee. Adult educationalist and a frequently consulted lecturer. Representative of the liberals at the municipal council of Karlskrona, 1912-1926.

Gerda Planting-Gyllenbåga, 1878-?, locally and nationally active franchise woman; participating in most of LKPR’s central committee meetings and one of its travelling orators. In 1912, Planting-Gyllenbåga was the first to lecture courses realised by Bergman-Österberg’s donation. Martina Bergman-Österberg had donated money to LKPR for the purpose of having information on public life spread among women in Sweden. The courses established a methodological and institutional framework to adult education on matters that were associated with the struggle for franchise. LKPR engaged specialized course-leaders and published its own ”textbooks”. Bringing with her the practical experience she had gained in a narrower context of municipal politics, Planting-Gyllenbåga became an elected member of the city council of Huskvarna through a list of exclusively female candidates. Similar to Broomé and Whitlock, Planting-Gyllenbåga was active on a high level within Centralförbundet för socialt arbete, CSA (‘The Central Association for Social Work’).

Augusta Tonning, 1857-1932, from Ronneby. Member of a very active circle of franchise women and participated in practically all of its central committee meetings. Tonning was, similar to Ann Margret Holmgren and Kata Dalström, frequently consulted as travelling orator. In 1914, she was celebrated for beating the record in the field of information promotion – she had held 105 lectures, she had established six associations, and she had visited 195 places.

Agda Östlund, 1870-1942, dress-maker, social democrat, and suffrage activist. Member of the committee of Socialdemokratiska kvinnoförbundet (‘Social Democratic Women’s Association’) from 1920 to 1936. Member of the Second Chamber from 1921 to 1940, which made her one of the first five women MPs. Working with social welfare, e.g. issues on maternity allowance and poor relief but was as well engaged in the temperance and peace movements. Consulted as expert for the official report on social insurance of 1925.

Further literature by and about these women and men is available through the databases KVINNSAM and LIBRIS.