Born: 1851 (Bergen, Norway)
Died: 1928
Biography:
Randi Marie Blehr (née Nilsen; 12 February 1851 – 13 June 1928) was a Norwegian feminist, liberal politician, suffragist, peace activist, and women’s rights activist. She was one of the preeminent leaders of the Norwegian women’s rights movement from the 1880s and co-founded the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights, serving as its President from 1895 to 1899 and from 1903 to 1922. She also initiated the establishment of the Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association, which grew to become a humanitarian organization with 250,000 members. Blehr was instrumental in advocating for Norwegian independence from Sweden and took on representative duties for Norway during her husband’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Randi Nilsen was born in Bergen in 1851. She was the oldest of eleven children born to ship broker Andreas Rasmussen Nilsen (1822–98) and Margrethe Andrea Tornøe (1827–1909). Despite not receiving formal education, she pursued the arts from a young age, including drawing, theatre, and music. At the age of 17, she joined Vestmannalaget, Norway’s oldest language association. In 1876, she played a significant role in the establishment of Den Nationale Scene, Bergen’s oldest and largest theatre. It was also during this year that she married Otto Blehr, a lawyer and politician for the left-wing Liberal Party who would later become the Prime Minister of Norway. They had a son named Eivind Blehr.
Blehr became involved in the Norwegian feminist movement in the 1880s. In 1883, she joined Skuld, a discussion group for female students, and in 1884, she co-founded the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights (Kvindesagsforening). She served as the chairperson of the organization for two periods: 1895 to 1899 and from 1903 to 1922. As the chair of the Association for Women’s Rights, Blehr fought for the improvement of the social and economic conditions for housewives, working-class, and lower-middle-class women. She petitioned the parliament to create vocational education courses for maids, seamstresses, cooks, and housewives. Under her leadership, the association also advocated for equal pay and for children born out of wedlock to have their paternity recognized legally.
In 1885, Blehr co-founded the Women’s Suffrage Association (Kvinnestemmerettsforeningen) under the leadership of Gina Krog, as the Association for Women’s Rights had decided not to include women’s suffrage on its agenda. A year later, she played a crucial role in establishing the Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association (Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening). This organization grew to become a significant humanitarian force with a membership of 250,000.
In 1903, Blehr was elected as the chair of the Norwegian Women’s Peace Association (Norske Kvinners Fredsforbund). Throughout her life, she promoted peace and actively engaged in peace movements. She believed in the power of diplomacy and women’s involvement in conflict resolution.
During periods when her husband’s political career required them to live in Sweden, Blehr actively represented Norway and continued advocating for women’s rights and social reform. She played a key role in shaping women’s history in Norway by fighting for gender equality, voting rights, and improved social conditions.
Randi Blehr’s leadership and dedication significantly influenced the women’s rights movement in Norway. She dedicated her life to raising awareness about women’s issues, promoting social change, and advocating for peace. Her pioneering efforts and unwavering commitment continue to inspire generations of women in Norway and beyond.