Nordic Book Club, August

Born the daughter of a pioneer preacher in 1857 in Geneva, Illinois, Emmy Evald grew up in the poor section of Chicago known as “Swede Town.” Despite her humble beginnings, she became one of the most influential and remarkable Swedish American women of her day.

Emmy began challenging the male-dominated church and social mores early on. Clear in her vision, she established the Lutheran Woman’s Missionary Society in 1892, raising more than $3 million, which provided health care and education to women worldwide.

A distinguished orator, Emmy led the charge on behalf of women’s suffrage and marched with Susan B. Anthony to the US Congress in 1902.

Her actions met with both victory and defeat. Some women felt a woman’s place was in the home and resented her. Men tried to silence her spirit. But she was a “force to be reckoned with,” one who never gave up on the fight for women’s rights and social justice.

Emmy has connections to Augustana College as well. Carlsson Hall dormitory was renamed Emmy Carlsson Evald Hall when the building was renovated as an academic building in 2008. Emmy was instrumental in raising money to built the  hall in 1928 as a place to house female students of Augustana. 

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