The Swedish Women's Association for the Defence of the Fatherland (Swedish: Svenska kvinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar or Svenska Quinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar), was founded in Stockholm on 9 April 1884. The founders of the association wanted to promote patriotism, a desire for Swedish national defence, and raise money for various defence purposes.[1]
Organisational aims and ambitions
editThe association's first undertaking was to raise money for the purchase of land surrounding Karlsborg Fortress to strengthen its defences.[2] Young people who were members of volunteer shooting clubs were sponsored by the provision of weapons and ammunition. The organisation also supported the Landstorm, a militia and territorial defence force created in Sweden in 1885.[3]
The association gave lectures, distributed patriotic and pro-defence literature, and organised lotteries, bazaars, defence parties and similar events.[4]
Membership
editIt was founded by a group of women including Lotten von Plomgren, who was its president from 1884 to 1914,[5] and Augusta Wästfelt, who was its secretary from 1884 to 1920.[4][1] Berta Persson, the first woman bus driver in Sweden was a member.[6]
Dissolution
editThe association was dissolved in 1970 and a fund was established from it remaining assets, which are administered by the Svenska lottakåren, the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization.[3] The fund supports prizes in connection with shooting competitions. The prizes must be engraved with ‘Svenska Kvinnoföreningen för Fosterlandets Försvar, Hederspris’.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "991-992 (Nordisk familjebok / Uggleupplagan. 27. Stockholm-Nynäs järnväg - Syrsor)". runeberg.org (in Swedish). 1918. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ Sundevall, Fia (2017). "Money, Gender and Military Training : Women as Economic Agents in Military Affairs (Sweden 1924–1942)". Militärhistorisk Tidskrift: 60–89.
- ^ a b c "Fonden Svenska kvinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar | Svenska Lottakåren". www.svenskalottakaren.se (in Swedish). 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ a b En fosterländsk 30-årsfest in Idun magazine number 17 1914
- ^ "skbl.se - Charlotta (Lotten) Johanna Jakobina von Plomgren". skbl.se. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "skbl.se - Berta Albertina Persson". skbl.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-11-10.