Betzy Kjelsberg facts for kids
Betzy Aleksandra Kjelsberg (born Børresen) (1 November 1866 – 3 October 1950) was a very important Norwegian woman. She fought for women's rights and for women to get the right to vote. This means she was a feminist and a suffragist. She was also a politician for the Liberal Party. She was the first woman to be on the party's main board.
Her Life Story
Betzy Aleksandra Børresen was born in a place called Svelvik in Vestfold, Norway. Her father, Thor Børresen, was Norwegian. Her mother, Jessie McGlashan, was from Scotland. When Betzy's father died, her family moved to Drammen. There, her mother married Anton Enger, a merchant.
Sadly, Anton had to close his shop. So, the family moved again, this time to Christiania (which is now called Oslo). While living there, Betzy started studying for her examen artium. This was a special exam that allowed you to go to university. She was one of the first women in Norway to even try to take it! But she couldn't finish because her stepfather's business was not doing well.
In 1883, Betzy helped start a discussion group called Skuld. She did this with Cecilie Thoresen Krog. Betzy also created many important groups for women. These included the Women's Trade Organization in 1894 and the Drammen Women's Association in 1896. This association even had its own school for housewives. She also started Drammen Public Health in 1899 and the Drammen Women's Council in 1903.
She helped create the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights in 1884. She also co-founded the National Association for Women's Suffrage in 1885. These groups worked hard to give women the right to vote.
The Norwegian National Women's Council was started in 1904. It was a big organization that brought many women's groups together. Betzy was a member of this council. Other important women's rights fighters like Karen Grude Koht, Fredrikke Marie Qvam, Gina Krog, and Katti Anker Møller were also part of it. From 1916, Betzy became the President of the Women's Council.
In 1905, Betzy Kjelsberg was chosen to be on the city council in Drammen. She served there for two terms. In 1910, she became Norway's first female factory inspector. This meant she checked factories to make sure workers were safe and treated fairly. She held this job until 1936.
From 1921 to 1934, Betzy represented the Norwegian government. She went to meetings of the International Labour Organization in Geneva. This organization works to improve working conditions around the world. From 1926 to 1938, she was also the vice-president of the International Council of Women.
Awards and Recognition
- In 1916, she received the King's Medal of Merit in gold. This is a special award from the King of Norway.
- In 1935, she was made a Knight 1st Class in the Order of St. Olav. This is another high honor in Norway.
Family Life
In 1885, Betzy married Oluf Fredrik Kjelsberg. He was a lawyer. They had six children together.
Her Lasting Impact
Betzy Kjelsberg passed away in 1950 in Bergen. She was buried in Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.
Many streets in Norway are named after her to remember her important work. These include Betzy Kjelsbergs vei in Oslo, Betzy Kjelsbergs vei in Drammen, and Betzy Kjelsbergs gate in Stavanger. There is also a statue of her in Oslo.
See also
In Spanish: Betzy Kjelsberg para niños
