From philanthropic idea to modern institution of the welfare state

Migration to Copenhagen and bad times for the economy leads to more homeless women. A small group forms Kvindehjemmet via an action committee. It opens in 1902 with room for 30 women. The feminist champion Vibeke Salicath is the leader of the project. This is the nursing room for young mothers. Photo: The archives of Kvindehjemmet, 1909.

Migration to Copenhagen and bad times for the economy leads to more homeless women. A small group forms Kvindehjemmet via an action committee. It opens in 1902 with room for 30 women. The feminist champion Vibeke Salicath is the leader of the project. This is the nursing room for young mothers. Photo: The archives of Kvindehjemmet, 1909.

In 1912, 701 persons stay at Kvindehjemmet. Most of them stay in dormitories for 0,16 kroner per night. The lodgers can earn money in the sewing room or with other work or by getting training as children’s nurses. The motto of Kvindehjemmet, through the 1900’s and until today is: “Help to Self-Help”. Photo: Archives of Kvindehjemmet, year unknown.

For years, Kvindehjemmet runs a people’s kitchen that is open for the people living there and local citizens and associations. The kitchen is an important source of work and income for Kvindehjemmet. I 1925, coffee and open-faced sandwiches are sold 47.829 times. Photo: The archives of Kvindehjemmet, 1925.

In the 1930’s, there is a total of five children’s institutions connected to Kvindehjemmet: a nursing room, a nursery, a day care and a refuge home for children of sick mothers. The programs are for families living at Kvindehjemmet and outside. In 1932, it costs 70 pennies per day to have your child in the nursery, and 55 pennies for siblings. Photo: The archives of Kvindehjemmet, 1932.

In 1945, Kvindehjemmet moves to a newly built property on Jagtvej in the Nørrebro quarter of Copenhagen. It is inaugurated by its patron, Queen Alexandrine. For the first time, it is possible for women staying at Kvindehjemmet to live in single rooms. Photo: Birthe Melchiors/Ritzau Scanpix, 1952.

Kvindehjemmet is strongly affected by the post-war period’s economic, social and housing problems, and the enrolment for Kvindehjemmet’s day care is very big. The day care is both for residents of Kvindehjemmet and children from the local area. Photo: Birthe Melchiors/Ritzau Scanpix, 1952.

In the 1960’s, Kvindehjemmet goes from being a multi-functional house composed of several institutions to being solely a place of refuge for vulnerable women and children, many of whom have been victims of violence. The photo shows a typical single room. A woman putting her child to bed. Photo: Harry Nielsen. Aktuelt nr. 137, 1973.

“The doctors told me that I was a bad wife to abandon my husband as I did,” a resident, who has been a victim of violence, says to Fyns Tidende (a regional newspaper) in 1978. In the 1970’s, the public aid system is improved, and Kvindehjemmet concludes an operating agreement with the Municipality of Copenhagen. In this photo, Gerda Colbert, the superintendent, can be seen talking to a resident. Photo: Harry Nielsen. Aktuelt nr. 137, 1973.

A typical kitchen on one of the floors in the 1980’s. Superintendent Eva Truelsen (on the kitchen counter) is sitting together with some of the residents. Under her leadership, Kvindehjemmet was modernised and made more professional. The first social workers were hired. Photo: Archives of Kvindehjemmet, year unknown.

In the year 1990, there was a total of 214 children living at Kvindehjemmet. During the 1990’s, Kvindehjemmet began to focus more on the well-being of the children. In 1996, Børnetræet was developed – a program of psychological first aid to children at Kvindehjemmet. Børnetræet was developed with funds from the Social Ministry, and the first specialised children’s pedagogues were hired. Photo: Archives of Kvindehjemmet.

Kvindehjemmet was totally renovated from 2006 to 2010. The rooms were made larger, everyone got their own bath/toilet, and the communal kitchens, among other things, got an upgrade. Photo: Archives of Kvindehjemmet.

In 2010, Kvindehjemmet function changes to being solely a women’s shelter for victims of violence under § 109 of the Service Law. In 2013, Kvindehjemmet becomes a private, self-owned institution with room for 36 women and approximately 30 children. Photo: Archives of Kvindehjemmet.