"The Other Swedes"
Honoring Them and Remembering Them
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends
<> Their Swedish American Kansas Smoky Valley Legacy Listings <>
Miss Alma Luise Olson
~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden"
~ The 1965 account by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg
Honoring Them and Remembering Them
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends
<> Their Swedish American Kansas Smoky Valley Legacy Listings <>
Miss Alma Luise Olson
~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden"
~ The 1965 account by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg
There were 350 articles that Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg wrote for the Lindsborg News-Record that found them creating five little books, her "anthology." Her 1965 "Lindsborg On Record" is one of them. The following account is found on page 32 of this book. It is a most interesting Lindsborg and Bethany College tale of a young woman born in the country near Lindsborg, a Swedish Augustana Lutheran Christian, who became an International "New York Times" Correspondent and frequenter of the foundational United Nations meetings in 1945, and much more.
Miss Alma Luise Olson
(1884 - 1964)
First American Woman Honored by the King of Sweden
From "Lindsborg on Record," p 34, Elizabeth Jaderborg
International Relations
by
Elizabeth Jaderborg
There were only a few “outsiders“ who were close enough to Scandinavia at the beginning of World War II to understand the idea of “permanent neutralization as a preliminary contribution to peace” which had evolved there.
One of the few was an American newspaper woman, Alma Luise Olson, Special Correspondent for the New York Times in Stockholm, Sweden. This talented young woman of Swedish descent had grown up in a Swedish-American community and had lived in Sweden close to the Swedish people over a span of 12 years.
She understood, and she could and did put her understanding into words for contemporary international understanding and for posterity.
In Iceland
Miss Olson was shown how ship's passengers
are landed during a storm.
One of the few was an American newspaper woman, Alma Luise Olson, Special Correspondent for the New York Times in Stockholm, Sweden. This talented young woman of Swedish descent had grown up in a Swedish-American community and had lived in Sweden close to the Swedish people over a span of 12 years.
She understood, and she could and did put her understanding into words for contemporary international understanding and for posterity.
In Iceland
Miss Olson was shown how ship's passengers
are landed during a storm.
Source: "Lindsborg on Record," page 33, by Elizabeth Jaderborg
Her book, written in New York, was in a way responsible for bringing her back to the United States. During the early rumblings of the war, Miss Olson ignored the suggestion of the State Department that she return to the United States. When asked why, her reply was “When the right time comes, I will know it.”
The “right time” came when a Minnesota company offered to publish her new book “SCANDINAVIA, The Background for Neutrality.”
Miss Olson returned then to the United States to begin work on the manuscript. “This was a difficult book to write with war on our heels,” she commented later.
When the Minnesota firm suddenly backed down, Lippincott of Philadelphia phoned immediately. Alma Luise was wary, but Mr. Lippincott stood firm, and SCANDINAVIA was published in 1940.
It was popular, and had two printings. Reviewers from roughly 100 newspapers and magazines were generous in their praise. They did not always agree with the book’s point of view, but they admired the “ideals and vision” and Miss Olson’s warm and comprehensive style.
The New Yorker Magazine said, “The author gives us a knowledgeable picture . . . honest and revealing. The Chicago Examiner said: “This is not merely ‘one small travel book.’ It is a scholarly way of life."
Alma Luise Olson was born near Lindsborg, Kansas, attended Bethany College, and continued her studies at the University of Chicago. At Chicago, she received her Master’s Degree in English and Philosophy, though she finished with enough credits for a Doctors Degree. After working in New York for a time as a writer, she “reversed the migration of her parents” by crossing over to Stockholm, Sweden.
The “right time” came when a Minnesota company offered to publish her new book “SCANDINAVIA, The Background for Neutrality.”
Miss Olson returned then to the United States to begin work on the manuscript. “This was a difficult book to write with war on our heels,” she commented later.
When the Minnesota firm suddenly backed down, Lippincott of Philadelphia phoned immediately. Alma Luise was wary, but Mr. Lippincott stood firm, and SCANDINAVIA was published in 1940.
It was popular, and had two printings. Reviewers from roughly 100 newspapers and magazines were generous in their praise. They did not always agree with the book’s point of view, but they admired the “ideals and vision” and Miss Olson’s warm and comprehensive style.
The New Yorker Magazine said, “The author gives us a knowledgeable picture . . . honest and revealing. The Chicago Examiner said: “This is not merely ‘one small travel book.’ It is a scholarly way of life."
Alma Luise Olson was born near Lindsborg, Kansas, attended Bethany College, and continued her studies at the University of Chicago. At Chicago, she received her Master’s Degree in English and Philosophy, though she finished with enough credits for a Doctors Degree. After working in New York for a time as a writer, she “reversed the migration of her parents” by crossing over to Stockholm, Sweden.
"Sweden, Land of White Birch and White Coal" by Miss Olson. Online eBay and Amazon image.
She had knowledge of the Norwegian, Danish, French, Spanish and German languages, and used excellent English and Swedish. Once, when she returned to Sweden from a trip to Norway and presented her visa for stamping, she spoke such excellent Swedish that the officer just couldn’t believe she was an American. “You’re a Swede alright,” he said. “No American can speak Swedish like that!” In Iceland and Finland, she used guide-interpreters.
At this time she was traveling extensively all over Scandinavia, and walked up “as close as the fence” to Russia. During her many years abroad, she worked on special assignments covering such varied subjects as Swedish art, dramatics, writers, stained glass, novels, snow sports, opera and industrial arts.
Much of her time was spent in reviewing books for the “New York Times Book Review Section.” She did no spot news, and her work was done at her own speed and discretion. When she expressed amazement to a visiting Times’ editor that the Times was using so much of her work, she was told that this was true because they knew that she was living and associating with the people, not just sitting in an office in Stockholm.
Later, she met a member of the Times' staff in New York. When she was introduced, he exclaimed, “Oh, are you the one who takes a notion and sends us an article now and then! Right then she began an attempt to get on a regular schedule.
At this time she was traveling extensively all over Scandinavia, and walked up “as close as the fence” to Russia. During her many years abroad, she worked on special assignments covering such varied subjects as Swedish art, dramatics, writers, stained glass, novels, snow sports, opera and industrial arts.
Much of her time was spent in reviewing books for the “New York Times Book Review Section.” She did no spot news, and her work was done at her own speed and discretion. When she expressed amazement to a visiting Times’ editor that the Times was using so much of her work, she was told that this was true because they knew that she was living and associating with the people, not just sitting in an office in Stockholm.
Later, she met a member of the Times' staff in New York. When she was introduced, he exclaimed, “Oh, are you the one who takes a notion and sends us an article now and then! Right then she began an attempt to get on a regular schedule.
Miss Olson wrote several books, newspaper articles too numerous to begin to count, and a great many illustrated articles for magazines here and abroad. Two outstanding articles, beautifully illustrated, were written at the request of the editors of the National Geographic Magazine. One, on Sweden was published in the October 1928, issue; the other, on Finland, was published in the October, 1938, issue.
It was a thrilling moment for Alma Luise Olson when the King’s representative, Wallmar F. Bostrom, Minister of Sweden, presented her with Sweden’s highest award for women, the Vasa Medallion. This was a singular honor, since she was the first American woman to receive this award. The presentation was made at a luncheon in New York City on December 2, 1940, for “valuable work… done in spreading knowledge of Sweden, its art and literature, in the United States.”
The award was a gold medal and was presented on eight counts (the maximum number). The major count was that “she understands what we mean when we say ‘neutrality.’ ”
It was a thrilling moment for Alma Luise Olson when the King’s representative, Wallmar F. Bostrom, Minister of Sweden, presented her with Sweden’s highest award for women, the Vasa Medallion. This was a singular honor, since she was the first American woman to receive this award. The presentation was made at a luncheon in New York City on December 2, 1940, for “valuable work… done in spreading knowledge of Sweden, its art and literature, in the United States.”
The award was a gold medal and was presented on eight counts (the maximum number). The major count was that “she understands what we mean when we say ‘neutrality.’ ”
One of many books she authored. Online eBay and Amazon image.
One of Alma Luise Olson‘s main interest was the affairs of the United Nations. She attended the opening session in New York City and an unprecedented number 18 of the beginning sessions (the normal limit allowed was 2). Her interest was always intense, continuous, and contagious.
While she was at the UN, she lunched regularly at the cafeteria. One day she heard a familiar voice behind her in the line. Turning to see who it was, she came face-to-face with Eleanor Roosevelt. For a long time she had wished for the opportunity to tell Mrs. Roosevelt how, time and time again, the consul in Sweden had assured her that Franklin Delano Roosevelt would win the presidential election. Now, so close to this remarkable woman, she was too impressed to speak.
It has been said that, “Miss Olson, despite her American citizenship and Middle West childhood, always had an ‘Old World consciousness.’”
She continued her lively interest in the United Nations and her study of International Relations until her death in Lindsborg, April 25, 1964, always preferring to talk about them rather than about herself for she recalled her mother’s early and wise counsel: “We must not forget that there are good forces at work in life.”
While she was at the UN, she lunched regularly at the cafeteria. One day she heard a familiar voice behind her in the line. Turning to see who it was, she came face-to-face with Eleanor Roosevelt. For a long time she had wished for the opportunity to tell Mrs. Roosevelt how, time and time again, the consul in Sweden had assured her that Franklin Delano Roosevelt would win the presidential election. Now, so close to this remarkable woman, she was too impressed to speak.
It has been said that, “Miss Olson, despite her American citizenship and Middle West childhood, always had an ‘Old World consciousness.’”
She continued her lively interest in the United Nations and her study of International Relations until her death in Lindsborg, April 25, 1964, always preferring to talk about them rather than about herself for she recalled her mother’s early and wise counsel: “We must not forget that there are good forces at work in life.”
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Miss Olson's home in Lindsborg at 328 North First Street
Built by her father John Olson 1893**
Miss Olson's home in Lindsborg at 328 North First Street
Built by her father John Olson 1893**
***
- Miss Alma Luise Olson -
She was an Augustana Lutheran Christian
Recipient of the Vasa Medallion during the reign of Swedish King Gustaf Adolf
Bethany College Graduate
University of Chicago, Master's Degree in English and Philosophy
International Correspondent headquartered in Stockholm for 12 Years for the New York Times
International author of many books, domestic author for the New York Times and for many publications
Fluent in 5-7 languages
International traveler to Scandinavia and the Continent
Attendee to New York's United Nations' First Session 1945 and 18 more sessions
Bethany College Professor of English, Swedish, and Political Science
***
- Miss Alma Luise Olson -
She was an Augustana Lutheran Christian
Recipient of the Vasa Medallion during the reign of Swedish King Gustaf Adolf
Bethany College Graduate
University of Chicago, Master's Degree in English and Philosophy
International Correspondent headquartered in Stockholm for 12 Years for the New York Times
International author of many books, domestic author for the New York Times and for many publications
Fluent in 5-7 languages
International traveler to Scandinavia and the Continent
Attendee to New York's United Nations' First Session 1945 and 18 more sessions
Bethany College Professor of English, Swedish, and Political Science
***
For more on Miss Olson:
Go HERE for 2012 Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad
~ The 2012 account by Ms. Karen A. Humphrey
Go HERE for The Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden
Go HERE for Our Sohlberg Home and Neighbor Alma Luise Olson
Go HERE for 2012 Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad
~ The 2012 account by Ms. Karen A. Humphrey
Go HERE for The Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden
Go HERE for Our Sohlberg Home and Neighbor Alma Luise Olson
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* These shared selections of the late Mrs. Jaderborg's writings noted by the mentioned book have been shown to her family for approval as of 11-25-22.
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* These shared selections of the late Mrs. Jaderborg's writings noted by the mentioned book have been shown to her family for approval as of 11-25-22.
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* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
