In 1882, Emma Irene Åström was the first Finnish woman to be awarded a Master’s degree at the Imperial Alexander University. Her main subject was philosophy. She became an important role model for women studying in the University and the activities of the women’s movement. And subsequently Åström was the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Helsinki’s School of Philosophy.
Emma Irene Åström
Born April 27, 1847, Taivassalo. Died July 3, 1934, Tammisaari
Bachelor of Philosophy 1882 (philosophy, general history, Latin, aesthetics and mathematics), Imperial Alexander University.
Honorary Doctorate 1927, the School of Philosophy, and ‘riemumaisteri’ ( honorary master’s degree conferred fifty years after a first degree).
Photo: Helsingin yliopistomuseo, H. Holmström
Author: Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
Translated by John Calton
Coming from an impoverished background, Emma Irene Åström’s enthusiasm and aptitude for study had been spotted early on by the young girl’s teachers. Indeed, the local clergy recommended that Åström’s father send his daughter to the teachers’ seminary in Jyväskylä, in central Finland. Uno Cygnaeus, arguably the father of Finland’s national school system, mentored Åström, even becoming her unofficial guardian, and it was with Cygnaeus’ support that Emma Irene gained a special dispensation to study in the University.
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