Cecilie Thoresen Krog

Ida Cecilie Thoresen Krog (née Thoresen; 7 March 1858 – 13 November 1911) was a Norwegian women's rights pioneer and Liberal Party politician, and the first female university student in Norway.^[1] She became famous when she was allowed to submit to examen artium in 1882, after an Act amendment had taken place.^[1] She was the first president of the women's rights association Skuld and a co-founder and vice president of its successor, the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights. She was also a co-founder and board member of the Norwegian Women's Public Health Association. She was active in the Liberal Party and her liberal views also colored her involvement in the women's rights movement. She was elected a deputy representative in Christiania City Council for the Liberal Party in 1901, as one of the first women elected to a political office in Norway.

She was born in Eidsvoll as a daughter of physician Nils Windfeldt Thoresen (1822–1907) and Marie Johanne Benneche (1827–99). She grew up together with her sister and three brothers. As a young girl she enjoyed skiing, including ski jumping. She married lawyer Fredrik Arentz Krog in 1887, and was the mother of journalist and playwright Helge Krog. She was the sister-in-law of teacher, politician and fellow women's rights activist Gina Krog. She died in Kristiania in 1911, after having suffered from infective endocarditis for several years.^[2]

Thoresen attended private schools before enrolling at Nissen Girls' School in Kristiania (now Oslo), one of Norway's leading schools for girls. She completed her studies there in 1879 at about age 21.^{[3] [4]}

At the time, women in Norway were not permitted to take the examen artium, the examination required for admission to university. Determined to continue her studies, Thoresen sought permission to sit the examination. Her father wrote to the Ministry of Church and Education Affairs requesting that she be allowed to take it, but the request was refused.^[3]

Her case soon became part of a wider debate about women's access to higher education. The Liberal politician Hagbart Emanuel Berner introduced a proposal in the Storting to amend the regulations that barred women from taking the examination. The amendment was approved on 30 March 1882.^[3]

Later that year, at age 24, Thoresen took the examen artium and passed with honours, becoming the first woman in Norway to qualify for university admission. She subsequently enrolled at the Royal Frederick University in Kristiania, becoming the country's first female university student.^[4]

She studied natural sciences and later continued her education at the University of Copenhagen. Her university studies ended after she married the lawyer Fredrik Arentz Krog in 1887.^[4]

After entering university, Thoresen became involved in the emerging women's rights movement in Norway. In 1883 she was among the founders of the discussion club Skuld, which brought together women interested in education, social reform, and women's political rights. She served as the club's first president. The club later became an important precursor to the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights.^[5]

In 1884, Thoresen helped found the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights and became a member of its first board. The organization became a central body advocating reforms to improve women's legal and social status in Norway. Thoresen remained active in the association for many years and later served as its deputy chair from 1903 until her death in 1911.^[3]

Thoresen also participated in the early campaign for women's suffrage. In 1885, she was among the founders of the Norwegian Women's Suffrage Association, which worked to secure voting rights for women and promote their participation in public and political life.^[5]

Her work also extended to public health and social welfare. In 1896, she joined the first board of the Norwegian Women's Public Health Association, a humanitarian organization focused on improving health care and expanding social support services.^[6]

In addition to her work in voluntary organizations, Thoresen participated in political life through the Liberal Party. In 1901, she was elected a deputy representative to the Christiania City Council, becoming one of the first women elected to political office in Norway.^[3]

Thoresen was a board member of the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights from its foundation in 1884^[1] and a board member of the humanitarian organization Norwegian Women's Public Health Association from its foundation in 1896.^[2] She was a co-founder of the Norwegian National Women's Council in 1904.^[2]