Introduction
Frieda Dalen (13 December 1895 – 15 February 1995) was a Norwegian teacher and organizational leader. In 1946,she was a delegate to the firstUnited Nations General Assembly at London andbecame the first woman to ever address theGeneral Assembly .
Biography
Alfrieda Kristine Jensen was born at Skedsmo in Akershus, Norway. She was the daughter of Carl Jensen (1869-1954) and Ada Emilie Andersson (1872-1957). She attended school in Kristiania (now Oslo).In 1916 she graduated from the teachers college (Oslo lærerskole).In 1936 shecompleted a course of study at the University of Vienna. She later assistedpsychologist professor Charlotte Bühler who held a professorship at the University of Oslo (1938–40).
She was associated with Sagene School (1936–46). During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany she played a leading role in the teachers' civil resistance, representing teachers in the Coordination Committee of the Norwegian resistance movement. For herresistance activities, she was arrestedwith a short stay in Oslo Prison.
From 1946 until 1965,she worked at Rosenhof skole under headmistress Anna Sethne, co-founder of the Norwegian Teacher Association (Norges Lærerinneforbund). Dalen served as chairof the Norwegian Teacher Association 1946–55. She was also a delegate to the firstUnited Nations General Assembly at London in 1946, and was a member of UNESCO committees from 1946 to 1958.
Personal life
In 1939 she married Olaf Dalen (1896-1965) who was the son ofHans Olsen Dalen (1860-1936) and Mari Johannesdatter (1867-1944). In 1965, Frieda Dalenwas awarded the King's Medal of Merit (Kongens fortjenstmedalje) in gold. She died during 1995 and was buried at Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.