Cecilia Milow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cecilia Milow
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Emma Cecilia Milow
8 March 1856 Gothenburg, Sweden
|
| Died | 7 May 1946 (aged 90) Stockholm, Sweden
|
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Occupation | Educator, author, social activist, suffragist |
Cecilia Milow (born March 8, 1856 – died May 7, 1946) was an amazing Swedish woman. She was an author, a translator, a teacher, and a strong supporter of women's rights. She worked hard to help young people and make society better. Cecilia also played a big part in starting the Boy Scout movement in Sweden.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Cecilia Milow was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her full name was Emma Cecilia Milow, but her friends called her 'Cissy'. She was the youngest of three daughters. Her mother, Mary Lindgren, was also a talented writer, translator, and teacher.
Cecilia loved education. In 1887, she started a girls' school in Skövde. A kind and wealthy person named Consul Oscar Ekman supported her school. He also encouraged Cecilia to study more in England and Germany. She was already an English teacher. In 1894, she earned a degree in History in London. Later, in 1898, she studied language and literature at Oxford.
Between 1902 and 1911, Mr. Ekman helped Cecilia travel and study even more. She went back to England to learn about childcare and how to help people in big industrial cities. Then, she traveled to America. There, she studied how charities and social groups helped people. She visited many social clubs and working-class areas. She was especially interested in two boys' clubs. One was in New York, and another was in Fall River, near Boston.
Making a Difference
When Cecilia returned to Sweden, she dedicated her life to helping others.
Helping Young People
From 1904 to 1922, Cecilia started and led the Kungsholmens Youth Club in Stockholm. This was a very important club for young people. She also helped create the Swedish People's Association in 1906. This group worked to share political ideas.
Cecilia was also a key member of an organization called Svensk Folkviljan, which means the Swedish People's Will. She strongly supported women's rights and the right for women to vote. From 1922 to 1930, she was the editor of a Swedish women's magazine. She wrote articles about national defense, children, and youth.
Starting Scouting in Sweden
Cecilia Milow visited Scotland several times. During one of these visits, she met General Robert Baden-Powell. He was the founder of the Boy Scout movement. This meeting was very important. It led to Cecilia starting Sweden's first Boy Scout troop. It was one of the first Boy Scout groups in the entire world!
Awards and Legacy
In 1916, King Gustav VI honored Cecilia Milow with the Illis quorum award. This award recognized her amazing work for Swedish culture and society. In 1928, a book was published about her work with disadvantaged boys. It was called Cecilia Milow och hennes Kungsholmspojkar, which means 'Cecilia Milow and her Kungsholm Boys'.
Cecilia Milow passed away on May 7, 1946, in Stockholm. She is buried with her mother in Skövde.
