Helen Clay Pedersen facts for kids
Helen Clay Pedersen (born Helen Clay) was an important Danish activist who worked for women's rights. She was born in England in 1862 and passed away in 1950. From 1910, she led the Kolding branch of the Danish Women's Society for 35 years. She is also well-known for creating Kvindernes hus, which means the Women's House, in Kolding in 1922. Helen Clay Pedersen was also involved in the International Alliance of Women, attending their meeting in Berlin in 1929.
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Helen Clay Pedersen's Life Story
Helen Clay was born in London, England, on May 27, 1862. Her father, Samuel Hobbs, was a lawyer. Her mother was Martha Clay. Helen met her future husband, Anders Simonsen Pedersen, in London. He was studying gardening there.
In 1893, Helen moved to Denmark with Anders. They got married that September and settled in a town called Kolding. In 1897, they started their own gardening business. It was called Aalykke. Helen Clay Pedersen managed the flower and vegetable shop part of the business.
Working for Women's Rights
The Kolding branch of the Danish Women's Society started in 1905. This group worked to improve women's lives. Helen Clay Pedersen became its president in 1908.
One of her big projects was organizing the 1912 Kvindernes Udstilling i Kolding. This was a national exhibition. It showed off amazing achievements by women in arts and crafts. The exhibition was a huge success. It helped introduce many people to the Women's Society. At a meeting that same year, Jutta Bojsen-Møller spoke. She called for quick progress on women getting the right to vote.
The Women's House
Helen's next major project was to create the Women's House in Kolding. This special building opened in 1922. It was the first time the Danish Women's Society had built its own place. This happened 14 years before Copenhagen got its own Women's House.
International Work
In 1929, Helen Clay Pedersen went to a big meeting in Berlin. It was for the International Woman Suffrage Alliance. At this meeting, she helped create a group called Open Door International. This group aimed to support married women's right to work. The next year, she led the Danish version of this group, called Den åbne Dør.
Helen Clay Pedersen led the Kolding branch of the Women's Society for 35 years. She retired in 1945. After retiring, she became an honorary member for life. She was also made an honorary member of Den åbne Dør.
Helen Clay Pedersen passed away on April 16, 1950, in Kolding. The Danish Women's Society placed a special remembrance stone on her grave.
