Solveig Alexandersen

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Solveig Alexandersen served on the board of The Norwegian Association of 1948 (DNF-48) from 1958–59 and again from 1961–64. Along with Vigdis Bunkholdt—who also joined the board in 1958—she became one of the first women to participate in organized work for gay rights in Norway. Only two women had joined earlier—Mary Hermansen (from 1952) and Eva Noreng (from 1954). When Alexandersen started her first term as a board member, Arne Heli was the head of the association. At the time, it was still 14 years until homosexuality would be decriminalized under Norwegian law.

Background

Solveig Andrea Alexandersen was born on November 17, 1920, in Hammerfest, as the youngest in a large family of siblings. Her father, Olaf Eivind Alexandersen, was an Arctic sea captain. Her mother’s name was Andrea Nikoline Henriksen. The family maintained stable financial security, even through the tough 1930s.

Solveig Alexandersen completed middle school in Hammerfest. In 1941, she moved to Vadsø and began working as a clerk at the Varanger Magistrate’s Office. After the war ended, she took part in extensive efforts to reconstruct land and mortgage records that had been destroyed during the occupation years. For 36 years, from 1949 to 1985, she worked at the Ringerike Magistrate’s Office and was awarded the King's Medal of Merit when she retired.

Political and humanitarian work

Alexandersen was deeply involved in political and humanitarian work. She chaired the local Women’s Conservative League and, for a time, served as a representative on the municipal council. She was active in the Norwegian Diabetes Association and served for 18 years as secretary of the Joint Organization for the Disabled (FFO) in Ringerike. She was also a member of the National Association for Single People and engaged with Amnesty International. In an appeal published in Ringerikes Blad on September 29, 1978, she urged more people in her home municipality to support Amnesty’s work: “Through Amnesty International, you gain greater impact, but unfortunately, the organization has very little support here in the district. Ringerike Municipality is also one of the few municipalities in the country that has not contributed funds to Amnesty's work. This would be a great opportunity to change that now!” she told the newspaper.

In her large family of siblings, Solveig was one of several who remained unmarried. She had close contact with her family and a large circle of friends.

In her obituary, her many years of work at the magistrate's office were highlighted, along with her involvement in the Conservative Party, the Diabetes Association, the Joint Organization for the Disabled, and Amnesty International.

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Solveig Alexandersen passed away on February 22, 1995, at the age of 74. In the obituary published in Romerikes Blad on February 23, 1995, she is remembered as a dear sister, sister-in-law, and aunt.