A memorial in honor of Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason (1867-1941), the first Icelandic woman to become a parliamentarian, will be established at a frequented location in Reykjavík, possibly on the corner of Vallastraeti and Thorvaldsenstraeti.

Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason. Source: althingi.is.

Representatives of the Independence Party on Reykjavík City Council made the suggestion at the council’s meeting yesterday and it was accepted unanimously, Morgunbladid reports.

On October 30, 70 years had passed since Bjarnason’s death. She fought relentlessly for women’s rights and other matters of progress.

Born in Thingeyri in the West Fjords to a merchant couple, Bjarnason moved to Reykjavík after her father’s premature death during her mid-teens where she studied at Kvennaskólinn, Reykjavík Women’s College. She later became the college’s principal and served that position for many years.

In 1922 Bjarnason was voted to Althingi, the Icelandic parliament, and served until 1930, representing a special women’s party (the older Women’s List), as stated on Wikipedia.

ESA