Born: 1861 (Stærrede, Denmark)
Died: 1950
Biography:
Thora Alvilda Knudsen (1861–1950) was a Danish nurse, women’s rights activist, and philanthropist. Born in Stærrede near Bisserup in north-western Zealand, Knudsen was the second of three daughters of farmer and local judge Harald Valdemar Fiedler and Marie Sophie Kirstine Jensen. After working as a teacher at the Tegneskolen for Kvinder from 1876 to 1886, she decided to pursue a nursing career along with her two sisters. Nursing was an emerging profession for young women at the time, and Knudsen quickly found herself at Frederiks Hospital in Copenhagen as an apprentice.
Unexpectedly, Knudsen applied for the position of head nurse of operations after just nine months of training and was granted the role. This led her to work in a primitive operating theater and later transfer to a ward with six colleagues. One of her patients happened to be a member of the royal family, which greatly benefited her career advancement.
In 1891, Knudsen married Morten Ole Knudsen, a reserve doctor at the hospital, and subsequently retired from nursing. However, she continued to actively support the Nurses’ Organization as a member. Knudsen was also a vocal advocate for women’s suffrage. In 1909, she made history as the leading candidate for the Conservatives in the municipal election, the first in which women could participate.
Elected to serve as a member of the Copenhagen City Council (Borgerrepræsentation), Knudsen completed only one term. During her time in the council, she bravely attempted to become one of the two citizens’ representatives on the committee for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Despite some of her colleagues supporting the idea, she faced resistance from others who believed that women had no place in politics as they lacked the right to vote.
Knudsen was a frequent speaker at the Danish Women’s Society and joined its board in 1911. Even after women gained the right to vote in 1915, she emphasized the importance of women’s active participation in public life and speaking up at meetings. She firmly believed that unless women became engaged, the unfair treatment of the sexes would persist. In 1920, she ran as a candidate for the Venstre party but was unsuccessful.
Beyond her work in nursing and advocacy for women’s rights, Knudsen was a committed philanthropist. She provided support to children in need, the sick, and the elderly. Knudsen was involved with various relief organizations, including the Deaconess’ Foundation (Diakonissestiftelsen), the Red Cross, the Welander Home, and the Society for the Fight against Sexual Diseases.
Thora Knudsen passed away on January 23, 1950, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to improving healthcare, advancing women’s rights, and serving those in need. Her contributions as a nurse, women’s rights activist, and philanthropist continue to inspire and shape society.