Lilly Engström facts for kids
Lilly Engström (1843–1921) was an important Swedish woman. She worked hard for women's rights and was also a civil servant. In 1890, she made history. She became the first woman to join a Board of education in Sweden. This happened after a new law in 1889 allowed women to serve on government boards.
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Lilly Engström's Life and Work
A Dedicated Teacher
Lilly Engström finished her studies in 1864. She graduated from a special school for teachers. It was called the Högre lärarinneseminariet. After graduating, she became a teacher. She taught at the Statens normalskola för flickor from 1864 to 1907. That's over 40 years of teaching!
Fighting for Women's Rights
Lilly was very active in groups that helped women.
- She was a board member of the Fredrika Bremer Association from 1884 to 1920. This group worked for women's rights.
- She also helped manage the Svenska lärarinnors pensionsförening. This was a retirement fund for female teachers. She was part of it from 1873 to 1920.
- Lilly supported the women's suffrage movement. This movement fought for women's right to vote.
- She was also a pioneer in the Pedagogiska sällskapet. This was a society focused on education.
- Engström was a member of Nya Idun, a women's association started in 1885. She was one of its first committee members.
Breaking Barriers in Government
In 1889, a new law changed things for women in Sweden. It allowed women to become civil servants. A civil servant is someone who works for the government. The very next year, Lilly Engström became the first female civil servant in Sweden. She joined the state school education board. This board was for the Hedvig Eleonora Parish in Stockholm.
