Fredrika Bremer Association facts for kids

Agda Montelius and Gertrud Adelborg presenting a petition for women's right to vote to the prime minister in 1899.

The Fredrika Bremer Association (Swedish: Fredrika Bremer Förbundet, often called FBF) is the oldest group in Sweden that works for women's rights. It supports a type of liberal feminism that includes everyone. The FBF works to make sure women and LGBT people have equal rights.

This group has always been a leading voice for women's rights in Sweden. Both women and men can join. It is part of the International Alliance of Women. It also works closely with similar groups in Denmark, Norway, and Iceland.

What the FBF Does

The FBF works to create public support for gender equality. They do this by sharing information and organizing activities. They also give out money from different funds and scholarships. The association works with other groups that have similar goals, both in Sweden and around the world. The FBF even had a person representing them in the government's council for equality.

The FBF is a member of the International Alliance of Women. This international group works with the United Nations to help shape global policies.

History of the FBF

How the FBF Started

The Fredrika Bremer Association began in 1884. It was started by a group of people, many of whom worked for the women's magazine Home Review. Key founders included Sophie Adlersparre, Ellen Anckarsvärd, Fredrika Limnell, Ellen Fries, and Hans Hildebrand.

The group was named after Fredrika Bremer, a famous Swedish writer. Her novel, Hertha, helped change laws. Thanks to her book, unmarried women gained the right to make their own decisions. Before this, male relatives had to approve their choices. Her book also led to the creation of the Gothenburg's Women's Association.

Early Goals and Activities

The main goal of the FBF was to support women's rights. They wanted to teach women about their rights and encourage them to use them. For example, when the group started, they focused on telling women they could serve on public boards. They also informed women with enough income that they could vote in local elections.

By 1890, the FBF's office in Stockholm was like a help center for middle-class women. It offered advice on legal, money, and health issues. Many women also visited to learn about the movement for women's right to vote.

Pushing for Women's Vote

In 1899, a group from the FBF asked the prime minister, Erik Gustaf Boström, to let women vote. Agda Montelius led this group, and Gertrud Adelborg wrote the official request. This was the first time Swedish women's rights groups officially demanded the right to vote.

Over the years, other groups joined the FBF. In 1890, the Svenska drägtreformföreningen (Swedish Dress Reform Association) became part of it. In 1896, the Married Woman Property Association also merged with the FBF.

In 1937, the FBF created a special committee. It was called the Kommittén för ökad kvinnorepresentation. This committee worked to get more women elected to political jobs, especially in the Swedish parliament.

Leaders of the FBF

See also

In Spanish: Asociación Fredrika Bremer para niños