Thora Knudsen facts for kids
Thora Alvilda Knudsen (1861–1950) was a Danish nurse who worked hard for women's rights and helped many people. She was an important member of the Danish Nurses' Organization right from when it started in 1899. Thora also fought for women's suffrage, which means women's right to vote. Because of her efforts, she was elected to the Copenhagen City Council in 1909. This was a big deal because it was the first time women could vote in city elections. She often spoke at meetings for the Danish Women's Society and joined their board in 1911. Thora was also a kind person who supported groups like the Diakonissestiftelsen and the Danish Red Cross, which help those in need.
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Early Life and Becoming a Nurse
Thora Alvilda Knudsen was born in 1861 in a place called Stærrede, near Bisserup in Denmark. Her father, Harald Valdemar Fiedler, was a farmer and a local judge. Thora was one of three daughters.
From 1876 to 1886, Thora worked as a teacher at the Tegneskolen for Kvinder. After this, she and her two sisters decided to become nurses. Nursing was a new and growing job for young women at that time.
Training and Early Career
Thora trained as a nurse at Frederiks Hospital in Copenhagen. After only nine months as a student, she became the head nurse for operations. This meant she worked in a basic operating room. Later, she moved to a different hospital ward with six other nurses. One of her patients was a member of the royal family. This connection helped her career later on.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1891, Thora married Morten Ole Knudsen, who was a doctor at the hospital. She stopped working as a nurse but stayed active in the Nurses' Organization. Thora strongly believed that women should have the right to vote.
Joining the City Council
In 1909, women were allowed to vote in city elections for the first time. Thora was the main candidate for the Conservative party. She won and became a member of the Copenhagen City Council. She served one term on the council.
Thora tried to become one of the two citizen representatives on a committee for the upcoming national elections. Some of her fellow council members thought it was a good idea. However, she reported that one person said women had "absolutely no place there" because they couldn't vote in national elections yet.
Speaking Up for Women
Thora often spoke at meetings for the Danish Women's Society. She became a board member in 1911. Even after women gained the right to vote in national elections in 1915, Thora kept saying that women needed to be active in public life. She believed women should speak up at meetings and get involved. She felt that if women didn't participate, unfair treatment between men and women would continue. In 1920, she tried to get elected again for a different party called Venstre, but she was not successful.
Helping Others
Thora Knudsen was also known for her kindness and generosity. She supported many people who needed help. This included children, sick people, and the elderly. She worked with several organizations that provided relief and care. These included the Deaconess' Foundation (Diakonissestiftelsen), the Red Cross, the Welander Home, and the Society for the Fight against Diseases.
Thora Knudsen passed away on January 23, 1950, in Copenhagen.
