Hjemmenes Vel


Hjemmenes Vel, later Norges Husmorforbund, was Norway's first association for housewives. Founded in Oslo by Dorothea Christensen in 1898, it was also the first organization for housewives in Europe. The association functioned until the late.1970s.
In 1897, Christensen had published an article in Husmoderen titled "Vi husmødre slutter os sammen" which paved the way for the establishment of Hjemmenes Vel on 10 March 1898.
Based on the success of the Oslo organization, local Hjemmenes Vel branches were established throughout the country. As a result, in 1915 Hjemmenes Vels Landsforbund or national headquarters was founded by Marie Michelet who chaired it until 1934. By 1924, there were some 50 local organizations in Norway. From the start, Hjemmenes Vels Landsforbund was associated with the Norwegian National Women's Council. In 1933, the organization changed its name to Norges Husmorforbund or Norwegian Housewives' Association. It became a large, influential organization with 30,000 members by 1940, providing advice on nutrition, housekeeping, childcare and economics. Husmorbladet was published from 1952.
The association was particularly successful in the years up to 1960 when there were 70,000 members. Thereafter, as women began to take up employment, interest in the organization gradually faded until it was no longer viable.

Leaders of the organization

The organization was founded as Hjemmenes Vel in 1898, was renamed Norges Husmorforbund in 1933 and finally became Norges Kvinne- og familieforbund in 1997.

Hjemmenes Vel