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Swedish Women's Association for the Defence of the FatherlandThe Swedish Women's Association for the Defence of the Fatherland (Swedish: Svenska kvinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar or Svenska Quinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar), was founded in Stockholm on 9 April 1884. The founders of the association wanted to promote patriotism, a desire for Swedish national defence, and raise money for various defence purposes.[1] Organisational aims and ambitionsThe association's first undertaking was to raise money for the purchase of land surrounding Karlsborg Fortress to strengthen its defences.[2] Young people who were members of volunteer shooting clubs were sponsored by the provision of weapons and ammunition. The organisation also supported the Landstorm, a militia and territorial defence force created in Sweden in 1885.[3] The association gave lectures, distributed patriotic and pro-defence literature, and organised lotteries, bazaars, defence parties and similar events.[4] MembershipIt was founded by a group of women including Lotten von Plomgren, who was its president from 1884 to 1914,[5] and Augusta Wästfelt, who was its secretary from 1884 to 1920.[4][1] Berta Persson, the first woman bus driver in Sweden was a member.[6] DissolutionThe association was dissolved in 1970 and a fund was established from it remaining assets, which are administered by the Svenska lottakåren, the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization.[3] The fund supports prizes in connection with shooting competitions. The prizes must be engraved with ‘Svenska Kvinnoföreningen för Fosterlandets Försvar, Hederspris’.[3] References
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