Aaslaug Aasland
Encyclopedia
Aaslaug Aasland was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party
. She was the Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs from 1948 to 1953.
She was born in Sandnes
as a daughter of Hans Aasland (1855–1901) and Hanna Marie Nielsen (1857–1957). She took the examen artium
in 1916, enrolled at the Royal Frederick University
and graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1922. She worked for the district stipendiary magistrate in Alta
for a short time, and then worked for Norske Kvinners Nasjonalråd from 1924 to 1931, as a prison inspector from 1931 to 1936 and labour inspector from 1936 to 1945. In 1945 she briefly served as the director of Bredtveit women's prison
, which had been a concentration camp during World War II
's occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
.
Later in 1945, when Gerhardsen's Second Cabinet
assumed office, Aasland became a consultative minister in the Ministry of Social Affairs
. She held this post until 1948, when she succeeded Sven Oftedal
as Minister of Social Affairs
. She was the first female head of a government ministry (Kirsten Hansteen
had preceded Aasland as minister in 1945, but as consultative minister), and also the first female government minister belonging to the Labour Party. She was also a member of Oslo
city council from 1945 to 1947.
Assessments of Aasland's accomplishments in the position have been mixed. According to historian and political scientist Trond Nordby
she was a particularly weak government minister, as she was "not able to carry through anything" (this claim was built on interviews with Aasland's successors Rakel Seweriin
and Gudmund Harlem
).
After stepping down as government minister, Aasland worked as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs. She was also a board member of the Norwegian People's Aid. She died in August 1962 in Oslo.
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
. She was the Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs from 1948 to 1953.
She was born in Sandnes
Sandnes
is a city and municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren.-History:Sandnes was separated from Høyland as a municipality of its own in 1860, and gained city status the same year...
as a daughter of Hans Aasland (1855–1901) and Hanna Marie Nielsen (1857–1957). She took the examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
in 1916, enrolled at the Royal Frederick University
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
and graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1922. She worked for the district stipendiary magistrate in Alta
Alta District Court
Alta District Court is the district court serving the municipalities of Alta and Loppa in Finnmark, Norway. It is organized under the Hålogaland Court of Appeal....
for a short time, and then worked for Norske Kvinners Nasjonalråd from 1924 to 1931, as a prison inspector from 1931 to 1936 and labour inspector from 1936 to 1945. In 1945 she briefly served as the director of Bredtveit women's prison
Bredtveit prison
Bredtveit Prison is a prison in Bredtvet, Oslo, Norway. During World War II it was a concentration camp.-Pre-World War II:It originated at Bredtvet farm as a lærehjem for young boys, erected 1918 and in use from 1919 to 1923. In 1923 the state took over the property from Det norske lærehjem- og...
, which had been a concentration camp during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
's occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
.
Later in 1945, when Gerhardsen's Second Cabinet
Gerhardsen's Second Cabinet
Gerhardsen's Second Cabinet governed Norway between 5 November 1945 and 19 November 1951. The Labour Party cabinet was led by Einar Gerhardsen....
assumed office, Aasland became a consultative minister in the Ministry of Social Affairs
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
The Norwegian Ministry of Labour was a Norwegian ministry which was established on 1 September 1885 and was disestablished on 22 February 1946...
. She held this post until 1948, when she succeeded Sven Oftedal
Sven Oftedal
Sven Oftedal was a Norwegian American Lutheran minister who helped found the Lutheran Free Church.Oftedal was born in Stavanger, Norway and studied at the University of Oslo. He came to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1873 to serve as a professor of the New Testament at Augsburg Seminary, predecessor...
as Minister of Social Affairs
Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion (Norway)
The Norwegian Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion is the head of the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. The position has existed since 1 January 1846, when the Ministry of the Interior was created...
. She was the first female head of a government ministry (Kirsten Hansteen
Kirsten Hansteen
Kirsten Hansteen was the Norwegian appointed Minister of Social Affairs in 1945, and the first ever female member of cabinet in Norway. She represented the Communist Party of Norway. Her husband Viggo Hansteen was executed by the German occupation forces in 1941. She edited the underground...
had preceded Aasland as minister in 1945, but as consultative minister), and also the first female government minister belonging to the Labour Party. She was also a member of Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
city council from 1945 to 1947.
Assessments of Aasland's accomplishments in the position have been mixed. According to historian and political scientist Trond Nordby
Trond Nordby
Trond Nordby is a Norwegian historian and political scientist.He graduated with the cand.philol. degree in 1972, and took the dr.philos. degree in 1984. He worked as a research fellow and lecturer of history at the University of Oslo from 1975 to 1986...
she was a particularly weak government minister, as she was "not able to carry through anything" (this claim was built on interviews with Aasland's successors Rakel Seweriin
Rakel Seweriin
Rakel Seweriin, née Solberg was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was the Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs from 1953 to 1955....
and Gudmund Harlem
Gudmund Harlem
Gudmund Harlem was a Norwegian physician and politician for the Labour Party. He was the Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs from 1955 to 1961 and Norwegian Minister of Defence from 1961 to 1965...
).
After stepping down as government minister, Aasland worked as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs. She was also a board member of the Norwegian People's Aid. She died in August 1962 in Oslo.