Jenny Markelin-Svensson facts for kids
Jenny Maria Gustava Markelin-Svensson (born October 30, 1882, in Vantaa; died March 17, 1929, in Helsinki) was a very important person in Finland. She was a professional inspector and became Finland's very first female engineer! This was a huge achievement for women at that time.
Her Early Life and Studies
Jenny's parents were Johan Fredrik Albert Markel, a farmer, and Amanda Fredrika Nummel. In 1911, she married Emil Svensson, who was also a construction engineer.
Jenny went to a Swedish-speaking high school called "Nya svenska samskolan" and finished in 1899. After that, she went to the Helsinki University of Technology. She studied hard and graduated in 1905. Her special area was building roads and bridges. Imagine, she was the first woman in Finland to become an engineer!
Working for Fair Conditions
After becoming an engineer, Jenny didn't just build things. She became very interested in how people worked. She studied working conditions in Finland and even traveled across Europe with scholarships to learn more. She wanted to make sure workplaces were safe and fair for everyone.
In 1908, she started working as an Assistant Inspector. She helped Vera Hjelt, who was also a pioneer in her field. The next year, in 1909, Jenny worked as an Assistant Inspector in the cities of Vyborg and Lahti.
A Pioneer in Workplace Safety
In 1913, Jenny moved to Helsinki. There, she worked as a labor inspector for the Health Care Board. Her job was to check workplaces and make sure they followed safety rules and treated workers well.
When the Social Administration was created in 1918, Jenny Markelin-Svensson made history again. She became Finland's first female occupational inspector. This meant she was in charge of making sure workplaces all over the country were safe and fair. Later, she became the Deputy Inspector for the Ministry of Social Affairs. She held this important job until she passed away at a young age.
Jenny was also very active in society. She shared her knowledge by writing newsletters, giving presentations, and lecturing. She also held positions in different industry groups and organizations. She truly helped improve working life for many people in Finland.
