Countess Danner's foundation

Grevinde Danner Stiftelsen set fra siden

Facts

Historic refuge for women

Danner House in Nansensgade was built for Countess Danner's foundation for worn-out working women in 1873. Over the years, as the welfare system made life easier for single women, whether unmarried or widowed, the need for the foundation declined and in 1979, only four women were left living in the house. The foundation was closed down and the house was sold. The Women's Liberation Movement considered itself the righteous successor and thought the house should remain a refuge for women. They occupied the house in November 1979, and when the women's groups were offered first option to buy for DKK 2.8m, the great Countess Danner Collection began. It was one of Denmark's most wide-scale women's actions. The women set up the house as a crisis centre and refuge for battered women.

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Countess Danner (1815-1874)

Story written by Frederikke Heick

Time / Periode 1875

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Countess Danner was originally born Louise Christine Rasmussen, the daughter of a poor, unmarried servant girl. While young, Louise was employed at The Royal Danish Theatre, where King Frederik VII met and fell deeply in love with her. Despite huge resistance from the middle classes and aristocracy, Louise was raised to the status of Countess Danner and married the King in 1850. She was never accepted by the higher ranks, who considered her a simple and unworthy mistress. The Countess herself never forgot her roots, either. She remained interested in servants' conditions, established orphanages and left her fortune to the newly built Danner House for Poor women of the working class". "