Born: 2 November 1890, Sweden
Died: 5 August 1964
Country most active: Sweden
Also known as: Helga Maria Swarts, Swartz or Schwartz
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Moa Martinson, a prominent figure in Sweden’s proletarian literature, was born as Helga Maria Swarts in 1890. Her writing aimed to bring about social change by highlighting the living conditions of the working class and the personal development of women. She covered various topics in her literary works, such as motherhood, love, poverty, politics, religion, urbanization, and the challenges faced by working-class women.
In 1921, Martinson’s political awareness grew as Sweden faced high unemployment, leading her to become an active member of the Central Organisation of the Workers of Sweden. She expanded her knowledge by studying the works of authors like Dostoyevsky, Zola, Gorky, and Nexø. Her commitment to improving laborers’ wages and working conditions, along with her eloquence, earned her a place in the municipal council in Sorunda, representing the Labour Party, although she later resigned in 1926.
In November 1922, Martinson began writing for the syndicalist paper “Arbetaren’s” women’s section, focusing on the collaboration of men and women to create a better world, particularly in debates related to women’s issues. In 1924, she advocated for equal pay for equal work between genders, which led to conflicts within the magazine and her eventual resignation. Nevertheless, her contributions to “Arbetaren” had established her reputation, especially within syndicalist circles.
Martin Andersen Nexø, an influential figure in her life, encouraged her to write a book about her life after she reached out to him. This led to the creation of her book “Pigmamman” (“The Maid Mother”). In 1925, she joined the team at the new magazine “Vi kvinnor” (“We Women”), where she contributed articles, novels, and essays.