Ingrid Jespersen

Ingrid Jespersen was born in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, on 24 January 1867. She was the daughter of Jens Peter Jespersen, a merchant, and his wife Anna Marie Jespersen. She graduated from the seminarieafdelingen at N. Zahle's School in 1889 and obtained a school principal diploma in 1891. She then co-managed Rosenvængets Privatskole with Elisabeth Gad for three years. In 1894, she founded her own school for girls in Copenhagen, which became known as Ingrid Jespersens Gymnasieskole. She was the first to introduce co-education in Denmark, allowing boys to attend her school from 1904. She also advocated for the academic and social development of girls, offering them a wide range of subjects and activities, such as languages, mathematics, science, music, art, sports, and travel. She was inspired by the progressive pedagogy of Friedrich Fröbel and Maria Montessori, and aimed to create a joyful and stimulating learning environment for her students. She also supported the women's movement and was a member of the Danish Women's Society and the Danish School Association. ¹² Ingrid Jespersen retired from her school in 1928, after 34 years of service. She died in Ullerød, Denmark, on 22 November 1938, at the age of 71. She was awarded the Danish Medal of Merit in 1919 for her contributions to education. Her school still exists today as Ingrid Jespersens Gymnasieskole ¹, located in Østerbro, Copenhagen. ¹²