Lydia Wahlström facts for kids
Lydia Katarina Wahlström (born June 28, 1869 – died June 2, 1954) was an important Swedish historian, writer, and feminist. She helped start the National Association for Women's Suffrage. This group worked to get women the right to vote. Lydia was also its leader from 1909 to 1911.
About Lydia Wahlström
Early Life and Education
Lydia Wahlström was born in Lundby, Västmanland, Sweden. She was the youngest of four daughters. Her father, Johan Gustaf Wahlström, was a vicar. Lydia's older sister taught her at home first. Lydia often said she was raised a bit like a boy. She even enjoyed dressing in boy's clothes.
Lydia later studied at the Wallinska skolan in Stockholm. In 1888, she was accepted into Uppsala University. There, she earned a degree in history, Nordic languages, and Political science. She completed her final academic paper in 1898. While at the university, Lydia started the first group for female students. Her group's members bravely wore their student caps in public. This was seen as unusual for women at that time.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Lydia Wahlström wanted to become a pastor, like her father. However, this was not allowed for women then. Even though she tried to change the rules, it was not possible.
She taught Christianity in Uppsala. She also managed a girls' school in England. Later, she became the principal of the Åhlinska skolan in Stockholm. Lydia was a co-founder of the Swedish Society for Woman Suffrage. She started this group with Signe Bergman, Anna Whitlock, and Ann-Margret Holmgren.
In 1902, two ideas about women's right to vote were brought to the Swedish Parliament. One idea came from the Minister of Justice, Hjalmar Hammarskjöld. He suggested that married men should get two votes. He thought they could vote for their wives too. The other idea was from Carl Lindhagen. He suggested that women should have the right to vote.
Hammarskjöld's idea made women's rights activists very angry. They formed a group to support Lindhagen's idea. On June 4, 1902, the Landsföreningen för Kvinnans Politiska Rösträtt (LKPR) was created. This group, which means "National Association for Women's Political Right to Vote," started in Stockholm. It became a national organization the next year.
Lydia was one of the main speakers, thinkers, and writers for the LKPR. She represented the Swedish women's suffrage movement in other countries many times. Her academic background gave the movement scientific strength. She served as the leader of the LKPR from 1907 to 1911.
Lydia was one of the few members who openly said she was a political conservative. The LKPR was supported by women with both left-wing and right-wing political views. However, the group decided to stop being politically neutral on June 20, 1911. They chose to ask voters to boycott, or not vote for, politicians who were against women's right to vote. They would support those who were in favor.
This decision meant the group was no longer neutral. Most of the politicians against women's right to vote were Conservatives. Liberals and Social Democrats were in favor of women's right to vote. This was especially true after all men were given the right to vote in 1909. Because Lydia was a conservative, she left her position as chairperson. She was replaced by Anna Whitlock, who was more politically neutral.
Lydia Wahlström was also active in other groups. These included the Fredrika Bremer Association and Nya Idun, which were women's associations. She wrote many books about Christianity and history. Lydia Wahlström passed away in Stockholm when she was 84 years old.
