Red Stocking Movement (Denmark) facts for kids
The Red Stocking Movement (called Rødstrømpebevægelsen in Danish) was a group in Denmark that worked for women's rights. It started in 1970 and was active until the mid-1980s. This movement was inspired by a similar group called the Redstockings that began in 1969 in New York City.
The Red Stocking Movement brought together women who believed in equal rights for women. They fought for things like equal pay, meaning women should earn the same as men for the same work. They also wanted better treatment for women at work and at home.
How It Started
In the late 1960s, some young women from the Danish Women's Society were inspired by the Redstockings in New York. With help from groups at universities, they decided to start their own Red Stocking Movement in Denmark.
Some of the most active members were Ninon Schoss, Karen Syberg, and Vibeke Vasbo. A famous moment happened on April 8, 1970, in Copenhagen. During a weekly parade of the Danish Life Guards, a group of women joined others from the Tuborg brewery who were protesting for equal pay. They even took off some of their clothes to get attention for their cause.
At first, people, including the news, were a bit confused about what the women wanted. But slowly, the Red Stocking Movement explained their ideas in articles. One article was called En historie om hvordan rødstrømperne blev rødstrømper (which means "The Story of how Red Stockings became Red Stockings").
Their main focus was on protests asking for equal pay. But they also got involved in politics. For example, they were against Denmark joining the European Community, which is a group of European countries working together.
Important Members
Many women were active in the Red Stocking Movement. Some of them include:
- Ulla Dahlerup (born 1942)
- Drude Dahlerup (born 1945)
- Suzanne Giese (1946–2012)
- Bente Hansen (1940-2022)
- Karen Jespersen (born 1947)
- Karen Syberg (born 1945)
- Vibeke Vasbo (born 1944)
