Anna Hierta-Retzius
Encyclopedia
Anna Wilhelmina Hierta-Retzius (1841–1924), was a Swedish feminist and philanthropist.
She was the daughter of Lars Johan Hierta
, the founder of the paper Aftonbladet
, and Wilhelmina Fröding and married to the scientist Gustaf Retzius
, with whom she was active in social and scientific projects.
She co-founded Föreningen för gift kvinnas äganderätt (The Married Women's Property Rights Association) together with Ellen Anckarsvärd
(1873), referred to as the first organized Swedish women's movement. She was also known for her many social projects and the instigator of many organisations for social issues such as education and social work. In 1887, she founded the first working cottage in Stockholm: a place where poor children could come during the afternoon to learn various handicrafts; this project grew to over 100 such cottages all over the nation. In connection to them, the teacher Sofi Nilsson co-founded with her an education of Family and consumer science
for girls by letting them cook for the cottages (1889). She initiated a reform of better housing for employees according to the system of Octavia Hill
(1889).
She was the daughter of Lars Johan Hierta
Lars Johan Hierta
Lars Johan Hierta was a Swedish newspaper publisher, social critic, businessman and politician. He is best known as the founder of the newspaper Aftonbladet in 1830. Hierta was a leading agitator for political and social reform in Sweden during the 19th century...
, the founder of the paper Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
, and Wilhelmina Fröding and married to the scientist Gustaf Retzius
Gustaf Retzius
Magnus Gustaf Retzius was a Swedish physician and anatomist who dedicated a large part of his life to researching the histology of the sense organs and nervous system.-Biography:...
, with whom she was active in social and scientific projects.
She co-founded Föreningen för gift kvinnas äganderätt (The Married Women's Property Rights Association) together with Ellen Anckarsvärd
Ellen Anckarsvärd
Eleonora Anckarsvärd, née Nyström , was a Swedish feminist.She was the daughter of the architect Per Axel Nyström. In 1873, she co-founded Föreningen för gift kvinnas äganderätt with Anna Hierta-Retzius, which is considered the first organized Swedish women's movement...
(1873), referred to as the first organized Swedish women's movement. She was also known for her many social projects and the instigator of many organisations for social issues such as education and social work. In 1887, she founded the first working cottage in Stockholm: a place where poor children could come during the afternoon to learn various handicrafts; this project grew to over 100 such cottages all over the nation. In connection to them, the teacher Sofi Nilsson co-founded with her an education of Family and consumer science
Family and consumer science
Family and consumer sciences is an academic discipline that combines aspects of social and natural science. Family and consumer sciences deals with the relationship between individuals, families, and communities, and the environment in which they live...
for girls by letting them cook for the cottages (1889). She initiated a reform of better housing for employees according to the system of Octavia Hill
Octavia Hill
Octavia Hill was an English social reformer, whose main concern was the welfare of the inhabitants of cities, especially London, in the second half of the nineteenth century. Born into a family with a strong commitment to alleviating poverty, she herself grew up in straitened circumstances owing...
(1889).
Literature
- Österberg, Carin et al., Svenska kvinnor: föregångare, nyskapare (Swedish women: Predecessors, pioneers) Lund: Signum 1990. (ISBN 91-87896-03-6)