"Klokt tal af kloka kvinnor" - en kort presentation av Kvinnokonferensen i Stockholm 1897

Abstract

In September 1897, simultaneously with the Art and Industry Exhibition, the first women's conference ever held in Sweden took place in Stockholm. It was arranged by the National Council of Women of Sweden. Holding a public conference such as this was an important way for women to gain access into the public sphere; a sphere traditionally dominated by men. Conferences were also important means of making manifestos public. Information was spread to the press in advance, and during the conference there w a s daily coverage in the press. The conference assembled 276 delegates, mostly Swedish women, but also delegates from the other Nordic countries. The main theme of the conference was the women's work. The sixteen speeches that were given is dividable into two categories. One category, can be said to include speeches focused on traditional forms of female labour, on work which was looked upon as feminine or work where feminine hereditary characteristics were seen as advantageous. The other category dealt with women's tasks in a more structural way. Speeches were made urging changes in the social and political situation of women. However, the conference was not only important as place to present present different manifestos in public. It also of great significance that women took to the platform and delivered their messages in a professional way. By doing this women gained access to the public sphere. Finally, the conference was highly important both in creating a network between women and in emphasizing the unity of the delegates.