Þórunn Jónassen facts for kids
Þórunn Jónassen (born 1850, died 1922) was an amazing Icelandic woman. She was a strong supporter of equal rights for women, often called a feminist. Þórunn was the very first leader of Thorvaldsensfélagið, which was Iceland's oldest group for women. She led this group for a long time – 47 years! She also made history in 1908. That year, she was one of the first four women ever chosen to be on Reykjavík's city council, a group that helps make decisions for the city.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Þórunn Jónassen was born in 1850 in a place called Ketilsstaðir á Völlum, close to Vallanes in eastern Iceland. Her father was Pétur Havstein, who worked as a magistrate (a type of judge or official). Her mother was Guðrún Hannesdóttir Stephensen.
Sadly, Þórunn's mother passed away when Þórunn was only 10 months old. Because of this, she was raised by foster parents and other family members.
Studying in Copenhagen
Þórunn went to school in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. She attended a special school called Natalie Zahle's School. While studying there, she learned a lot about the importance of women's rights and why education was so important for girls and women. This experience helped shape her strong beliefs.
Family Life
After finishing her studies, Þórunn returned to Iceland. In 1871, she married Jónasi Jónassen. He was a doctor at the hospital in Reykjavík. They had one daughter together, named Soffía, who was born in 1873.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Þórunn Jónassen became a very important leader in Iceland. She worked hard to improve life for women and for everyone in her community.
Leading Thorvaldsen's Society
In 1875, Þórunn was chosen to be the first leader of Thorvaldsensfélagið (Thorvaldsen's Society). This was a women's group that focused on helping people stay healthy and supporting those who were struggling. Þórunn was so dedicated that she stayed in this leadership role for 47 years, until she passed away!
Working in Public Service
Besides leading Thorvaldsen's Society, Þórunn also worked as a secretary for the National Health Insurance Board. This board helped people with their health care.
In 1908, Þórunn made history again. She was elected to the city council of Reykjavík. This was a big step because she was one of the very first women to hold such a position in Iceland. Being on the city council meant she helped make important decisions about how the city was run.
Later Life and Legacy
Þórunn Jónassen passed away in Reykjavík on April 18, 1922. She is remembered as a brave and important woman who helped pave the way for women's rights and participation in public life in Iceland.
