Born: 1867 (Thingeyri, Iceland)
Died: 1941
Biography:
Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason (14 December 1867 – 30 October 1941) was an Icelandic politician, suffragist, schoolteacher, and gymnast. She was an influential figure in the fight for women’s rights in Iceland and became the first woman to become a member of the Althing, the parliament of Iceland.
Born in Thingeyri, Iceland in 1867, Ingibjörg was the daughter of Hakon Bjarnason and Johanna Kristin Þorleifsdóttir. She grew up in a family of five children. After her father’s death, she moved to Reykjavík as a teenager and attended Kvennaskólinn, the Reykjavík Women’s College. In 1882, she graduated from the college and went to Denmark to study gymnastics, becoming the first Icelander to do so. Upon her return to Reykjavík in 1893, she began teaching gymnastics at a children’s school, and in 1903 she joined the Women’s College as a teacher. She eventually became the school principal in 1906 and held the position for 35 years until her death.
Ingibjörg first became involved in the women’s suffrage movement in Iceland in 1894. Her dedication and hard work paid off in 1915 when Icelandic women won the right to vote. Ingibjörg was chosen by a women’s organization to address parliament and present a celebratory speech. She was also elected as the head of a committee that raised funds to build a hospital, Landspítali (the National University Hospital), in commemoration of the suffragists’ victory.
As a leader of the Women’s Slate, which was a precursor to the feminist Women’s List political party, she played a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights. In 1922, she made history by being elected as the first woman to sit in the Icelandic parliament, the Althing. Although she initially ran as an independent member, she later joined the Conservative Party in 1924 and remained in office as a Conservative member until 1927. Throughout her political career, Ingibjörg tirelessly fought for the rights of women and children.
After retiring from politics, Ingibjörg continued to be actively involved in the Icelandic women’s liberation movement. In 1930, she became the founding chairperson of the women’s organization Kvenfélagasambands Íslands. However, she faced criticism from some women for her alignment with the Conservative Party and her support of causes such as the establishment of a home economics school. There were also those who disagreed with her suggestion that Icelandic women had achieved full equality when they gained the right to vote in 1915. Despite the criticism, Ingibjörg remained steadfast in her commitment to the advancement of women’s rights.
In addition to her political involvement, Ingibjörg served on the Landsbanki committee from 1928 to 1932 and was a member of the Icelandic Education Council from 1928 to 1934. She left a lasting impact on Icelandic society and paved the way for future generations of women to participate in politics and fight for equal rights.
Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason passed away in October 1941, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to the advancement of women’s rights in Iceland.