Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-01-26
THE WOMEN
OF SWEDEN
TAKE A LEADING PART IN A.
FAIRS OF THEIR COUN.

The Swedish woman is the most
Amazonian of her sex in Europe, &C
cording to Marc Helys, who is so deep
ly impressed by the fact that he
writes an article in LIE Correspond
ent (Paris) about it, He reminds us
that in early days a javelin was in
cluded in her trOusseau and on her
wedding day she was expected to
hurl this through the window, "sig-
by this symbolic act, her read
mess to take part in the defense of
her hearth and home" During the
wars of Charles XII the women plow-
ed, sowed and harvested the grain,
we are told and according to the an.
cient Swedish law woman married
'in order to be mistress in her
house." and was to have the same
rights as her husband over "the bolts,
locks and keys of the home.' It Is
therefore no wonder that feminism,
the principle Of woman's rights, has
made great progress in Sweden. The
occupation of women in civil and pro.
fessiOnal life, says Mr.. Helys. is well
nigh universal; she not only teaches,
or undertakes the management of a
bank, but learns craftsmanship and
military drill, a great advantage. says
the writer in country of so small
a population, as in case of foreign
war the women could defend the
land when it is stripped of male gar
riSOnS.
Education.
The progress of Swedish women in
education was inaugurated by Freder-
ila Bremen, and it is continued by
the existing Frederika Bremen Union.
To quote from the present writer:
THE progress of feminism hence
forth was rapid. In 1880 woman &C.
cupied somewhat humiliating posi-
ton in the world of learning. In 1870
she was admitted to the university and
the school of medicine, and in 1887
she had the right to present herself
for examination in all the faculties
excepting that of theology"
The method of the Frederika Brem-
er Union was to direct this onward
movement, says Mr. Helys. In his
own words:
ut was founded, according to its
statutes. to promote the calm and me-
thodical development of woman, and
the amelioration. moral and material,
of her lot. It begins by impressing
on women their own value as individ-
uals, which they had so long lost sight
of. 1t labors for their independence,
and fights down the prejudices, in ac-
cordance with which at one time. in
Sweden, labor was considered to de.
grade a woman. Education and indie
pendence-that is increased conscious,
ness of worth and liberty of action
such was the dream of Frererika
Bremen and such the essence of
Swedish feminism.''
Women of property as early as the
18th century had a vote in their own
commune and any woman who pays
certain tax also possesses the suf-
frage. The extension of this priv.
ilege is at present being agitated, says
Mr. .Helys, and he adds:
"It is only within the last three
years that this great question has
been seriously discussed in Sweden,
and in the debates that have taken
place in parliament on universal suf.
frage the vote for woman suffrage
last session was SO against u.s."
Business Women.
The question of woman's part in
largely decided, we are told, through
the efforts and example of Swedish
lady of title who took up with great
enthusiasm the ideas of Frederika
Bremen. At present almost all the
women in Sweden are engaged in &C.
tive employment. To quote:
''The trumpet call sounded by Fred
erika Bremen came at the very mo.