Maikki Friberg facts for kids
Maria (Maikki) Elisabeth Friberg (1861–1927) was an important Finnish woman. She was a teacher, a newspaper editor, and someone who worked hard for women's rights and peace. People remember her for her role in the Finnish women's movement. She led the Finnish women's rights group called Suomen Naisyhdistys. She also started and edited a women's magazine called Naisten Ääni (which means Women's Voice). Maikki traveled a lot, sharing information about Finland with others and attending big international meetings. She also wrote for newspapers in other countries.
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Maikki Friberg's Early Life and Education
Maikki Friberg was born on January 5, 1861, in Kankaanpää, Finland. Her parents were Karl Arvid Friberg and Fanny Adelaide Boijer. When her father passed away early, her mother moved with the children to Tampere. There, her mother opened a guest house. Maikki went to the Swedish School for Women in Helsinki. She finished her teacher training there.
In 1883, Maikki became a teacher in a folk high school in Helsinki. She taught there until 1912. She also studied in Berlin, Germany, and Zürich, Switzerland. In 1897, she graduated from the University of Bern with a special paper about Nordic law. After that, she learned about economics at the University of Brussels. She became very good at speaking German, French, and English. Until 1906, she often traveled around Europe to learn new teaching methods. She also met many people from other Nordic countries, especially Denmark.
Working for Women's Rights and Peace
In 1906, while traveling, Maikki Friberg became very interested in the women's movement. She went to many meetings and conferences. Often, she represented a group called Kvinnosaksförbundet Unionen (the Union Women's Association). In 1906, she attended a meeting of the International Alliance of Women in Copenhagen. Her ideas about voting rights were very popular there. This was because Finnish women had just won the right to vote that same year.
At this time, Maikki was especially interested in peace and the temperance movement. The temperance movement worked to limit or stop the use of alcohol. She also continued to teach others about Finland. She gave talks about Finnish and Sami schools in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. She even spoke about how the Russian government was limiting Finland's self-rule.
Maikki had been teaching for 30 years and had a lot of experience. In 1912, she applied for a higher position as a Deputy Inspector for Helsinki's Folk Schools. However, someone else got the job. Maikki was so upset that she decided to stop teaching. She wanted to spend all her time working on issues important to women.
Journalism and Activism
Maikki Friberg was a member of the Finnish Women's Association starting in 1889. She was on its board from 1907 to 1924. She also helped start the Union Association in 1892 and led it from 1920 to 1927. Maikki was also active in the Finnish peace group called Finlands Fredsförbund.
She wrote many articles for newspapers in Finland and other countries. In 1905, she started her own magazine called Naisten ääni (Women's Voice). She was the editor of this magazine until she passed away. In 1909, she wrote an article in Naisten ääni about the International Alliance of Women meeting in London.
Maikki Friberg passed away in Helsinki on November 6, 1927.
See also
- Maikki Friberg para niños (Maikki Friberg for children in Spanish)
