Cool Chicks from History

Sophia Brahe (1556-1643)

Art by Carolyn Bernhard (website, tumblr)

Tycho Brahe was one of the most important astronomers of the sixteenth century.  The last major astronomer to work without the aid of a telescope, Tycho built his own instruments to track the movements of celestial bodies.  His work paved the way for Johannes Kepler’s laws of planetary motion.

Tycho’s younger sister Sophia assisted him in his scientific observations.  Their family was part of Denmark’s high nobility and although the Brahe children were well educated, their parents did not consider science an appropriate field for people of rank.  Nevertheless, Sophia taught herself astronomy and as a teenager helped her brother observe a lunar eclipse.  Throughout their lives, Tycho and Sophia maintained a close correspondence. 

Sophia also studied alchemy, horticulture, and chemistry, but her most lasting individual work is her genealogy of Danish noble families.  Published in 1626, it remains an important source for Danish historians today.  

US and foriegn servicewomen walk past what appears to be Fredriksborg Palace outside Copenhagen where they were attending a conference on “The Importance of Women in the NATO Defense” in June of 1961. Viola Brown Sanders (center, looking at the camera) attended the conference as the deputy to the Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women. 

Photo via Jackson Library, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

The 1952 individual Dressage podium – gold went to Henri St-Cyr (Sweden), silver to Lis Hartel (Denmark) and bronze to André Jousseaume (France).

Women were first allowed to compete in Dressage in 1952, making Lis Hartel the first woman to medal in the sport.  Eight years earlier Lis contracted polio while pregnant and became paralyzed from the knees down.  Despite this impairment, Lis won silver medals in both the 1952 and 1956 Olympics.  

Mathilde Fibiger was a 20 year old Danish governess when her novel, Clara Raphael, ignited a furor.  The novel’s theme of female independence was immensely controversial and it is considered the first Danish feminist work.  The book energized the women’s movement and influenced the 1857 decision of the Danish Parliament to grant women majority at the age of 25.

Although Mathilde received a small pension from the Danish Queen Mother, she struggled to support herself as a writer and translator.  In 1866, Mathilde trained as a telegraphist, making her not only the first female telegraphist in Denmark but also the first female civil servant in Denmark.  

nordic-drifter:

There is no such thing as a female viking. The Old Norse term vikingar applied exclusively to men who sailed from Scandinavia for the purpose of raiding or trading. Women only ever sailed for the purpose of establishing new colonies in distant lands; for settlement.

Women in Viking Age society were in charge of the household, and in charge of making certain that food lasted through the winter. When the men were away raiding and trading, women were in charge of the farm. Although women were bound to house and family, they held a great deal of influence in society, often having full control over the distribution of food and clothing. 

There is no evidence that female warriors, valkyrie, ever existed outside of mythology. Though women were most likely trained in swordsmanship in order to defend their homes.

Some further clarification from Nordic Drifter:

Recent finds have, in fact, shown female graves containing weapons. This could suggest the possibility of female warriors. However, it is not particularly conclusive, and it is known that women were trained in swordsmanship in order to protect their homes when men were away.

There are records of women dressing as men in order to go to war. But this is distinct from the idea of a female “valkyrie” warrior, and closer to a possible transgender role - something which existed in many ancient cultures. Some noble women were known to take control of armies after their husbands’ deaths and lead them into battle.

Women and children were known to accompany the Danish army in the 9th century, and the majority of Scandinavian invaders were “marriage-minded” and may have brought their families with them. 

Edith Nebelong Rode (1879-1956)

Novelist, poet, journalist and advice columnist

Karin Michaëlis (1872-1950) was a controversial modernist writer.  Her best known book is The Dangerous Age.

Vocally anti-Nazi, her houseguests ranged from Emma Goldman to Bertolt Brecht.  Called a “dangerous woman” by Hitler, Karin fled Denmark for the US when the Nazis invaded Denmark.  She returned at the end of the war and spent her last years in Denmark.

Karen Blixen (1885-1962), author of Out of Africa (as Isak Dinesen).

Internationally renowned ballerina Adeline Genée (1878-1970) helped to found the Royal Academy of Dance.  The Genée International Ballet Competition is named in her honor.  

Nina Bang (1866-1928)

Appointed Danish Minister for Education in 1924, she was the first female minister in an internationally recognized government