Alma Hjelt facts for kids

Alma Hjelt (born 1853, died 1907) was an important Finnish woman. She was a gymnast and worked hard to make sure women had the same rights as men. In 1884, she became the very first leader of the first women's group in Finland.

A Champion for Women's Rights

Alma Hjelt's father was Nils Hjelt, a politician (someone who helps run the country). In 1884, a very important group called the Suomen Naisyhdistyksen was started in Helsinki, Finland. This was the first group in Finland focused on women's rights. Alexandra Gripenberg helped start it, and Alma Hjelt became its first leader.

What the Women's Group Did

The main goal of this group was to make sure women had the same cultural and political rights as men. This meant they wanted women to have equal chances in education, art, and in how the country was run. After 1886, similar groups started in other parts of Finland. The first one outside Helsinki was in Kuopio, led by Minna Canth.

Helping Girls Study Medicine

Alma Hjelt cared deeply about education for girls. In her will (a document that says what happens to your money after you die), she set up a special scholarship. This scholarship helped girls who wanted to study medicine. It also made sure that if, in the future, girls were not allowed to study medicine in Finland, they would still have money to study it in other countries.