Totally Stockholm 1
”Deeds, not words”, was the motto for Emmeline Pa
nkhurst when campaigning for, or rather demanding, the right to vote in Britain, little over a hundred years ago. The suffrage campaign across the world at that time is identified as the defining element of the first wave of feminism. Its impact was momentous and had an incredible influence on our world. Anglophile Signe Bergman carried the torch back home to Sweden, and this year it’s 100 years ago since the bill for women’s voting rights was passed here – a full nine years before the British suffragettes had their corresponding success. So, as a centenary celebration, what could be more fitting than to launch a Museum of Women’s History? To make it even more fitting, the project’s launch month of March is, in case you didn’t know, Women’s History Month. A time to set aside to honour women’s contributions in science, business, sports, social movements, and any other field you could come to think of. Lina Thomsgård and the good people behind the Kvinnohistoriska initiative were obviously not content with a few mentions during one short month (well, it’s actually one of the longer months but you understand what I mean) and founded Kvinnohistoriska, the Stockholm Museum of Women’s History, so we could honour women’s contributions all year round. Kvinnohistoriska aims to highlight how women influence the progress of society, and wants to actively challenge the marginalisation of women in the creation and use of history. And as “trying to fit half of humanity’s history within four walls is impossible” the initiative is without a permanent building, instead aiming to be a platform for a wide range of stories, in the shape of exhibitions, workshops, discussions in multiple locations, while collaborating with many ‘member’ organisations and museums. Lina Thomsgård, co-founder, explains. “The organisation Stockholms Kvinnohistoriska was founded by a group of museums that wanted to contribute and cooperate in creating a new and innovative museum which focuses on women’s presence in history. Rather than being in a fixed location, Kvinnohistoriska is a mobile entity, a moving consciousness. We want to be an active part of society all over the city, to meet you where you are, and make sure that women’s history is added to the common knowledge. We have worked hard for a year to make this happen, and also to make sure we have a plan that gives us a long life.” Could you let us know more about the motives, the aim, the ambition, and just why you felt you had to instigate this project right now? The mission is to be an active part of building a rich and diverse worldview, by broadening the knowledge about women in society. We want to show how, despite being marginalised throughout history, women have played an integral role in developing society all over the world. By giving voice to the women of the past, we will open up space for the women of the future to be heard. The lack of knowledge is widespread, but by using the expertise of our members we can collaborate to make the knowledge available to more people. And perhaps for those who wouldn’t spend their free afternoon in a museum, this could be a first step! By city walks, talks, picnics, salons and podcasts we can reach new audiences and at the same time point them to all the fantastic things that are already going on in the city. 13 Photo: Sofia Runarsdotter