Betzy Kjelsberg
Encyclopedia
Betzy Alexandra Kjelsberg (November 1, 1866 – 1950), born Betzy Aleksandra Børresen, was a Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party, being the first female board member of the party, Norway's first female factory inspector from 1910–1936, and a member of the feminist movement
. Kjelsberg was born in Svelvik
, Vestfold
. Her father was Norwegian, while her mother was from Scotland
. After her father died, the family moved to Drammen
, where Betzy's mother married a merchant from the town. However, he had to close his shop, forcing them to move to Christiania (today Oslo
). While living there, she started her examen artium
, as one of the first women in Norway to do so, but she never actually finished it due to the poor economy of her stepfather. Instead, she fell in love with Oluf Fredrik Kjelsberg, a jurist
, with whom she had six children. Kjelsberg is the great-grandmother of Siv Jensen
, the leader of the Norwegian Progress Party
.
In 1883, she founded the discussion group Skuld. Kjelsberg created the organizations Kvinnelig Handelsstands forening (1894), Drammen Kvinnesaksforening (1896), with its own housewife school, Drammens Sanitetsforening (1899), and Drammen Kvinneråd (1903). She was a co-founder of the Norwegian women's rights
association, Norsk Kvinnesaksforening (1884), Kvindestemmeretsforeningen (1885), which worked for giving women the right to vote, and was a member, and, at a point, the leader of the Norwegian National Women's Council, Norske Kvinners Nasjonalråd (1904). From 1926–1938, she was the vice-president of the International Council of Women
.
Feminist movement
The feminist movement refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women's suffrage, sexual harassment and sexual violence...
. Kjelsberg was born in Svelvik
Svelvik
is a town and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Svelvik.The town of Svelvik was separated from the rural municipality of Strømm to become a municipality of its own in 1845. The two municipalities were merged back together on 1...
, Vestfold
Vestfold
is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg.Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs...
. Her father was Norwegian, while her mother was from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. After her father died, the family moved to Drammen
Drammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud County, Norway. The port and river city of Drammen is centrally located in the eastern and most populated part of Norway.-Location:...
, where Betzy's mother married a merchant from the town. However, he had to close his shop, forcing them to move to Christiania (today Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
). While living there, she started her examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
, as one of the first women in Norway to do so, but she never actually finished it due to the poor economy of her stepfather. Instead, she fell in love with Oluf Fredrik Kjelsberg, a jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
, with whom she had six children. Kjelsberg is the great-grandmother of Siv Jensen
Siv Jensen
Siv Jensen is a Norwegian conservative-liberal politician, and the current leader of the Progress Party. She was the Progress Party's candidate for Prime Minister in the 2009 parliamentary election.-Early and personal life:...
, the leader of the Norwegian Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
.
In 1883, she founded the discussion group Skuld. Kjelsberg created the organizations Kvinnelig Handelsstands forening (1894), Drammen Kvinnesaksforening (1896), with its own housewife school, Drammens Sanitetsforening (1899), and Drammen Kvinneråd (1903). She was a co-founder of the Norwegian women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
association, Norsk Kvinnesaksforening (1884), Kvindestemmeretsforeningen (1885), which worked for giving women the right to vote, and was a member, and, at a point, the leader of the Norwegian National Women's Council, Norske Kvinners Nasjonalråd (1904). From 1926–1938, she was the vice-president of the International Council of Women
International Council of Women
The International Council of Women was the first women's organization to work across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C...
.