More than just a factory

In a previous post, we told you about the factory in Sörforsa and its founder Axel Leman. A driving force behind Holma-Helsingland's construction and development. We also mentioned his wife, Freja Leman, who had an equally important role.

Now we want to shine a light on her - a woman of heart, will and courage, whose commitment and care helped shape an entire community.

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The woman behind the change in Sörforsa

In the shadow of factory smoke and spinning wheels, a woman emerged who would change the lives of many in the small community of Sörforsa in Hälsingland. Her name was Freja Leman - an enthusiast, a visionary and a true humanitarian.

Born Freja Hådell in Hudiksvall in 1875, life led her to a love affair with Axel Leman - the industrialist behind the Holma-Helsingland flax spinning mill. But Freja was so much more than a wife at the side of a business leader. She became a community builder with a heart for welfare, equality and caring.

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In 1907, at a time when social support for working women was almost non-existent, Freja founded Sweden's very first industrial daycare center. A small but vital room for the children of working women.
The daycare center provided the children with security, play and care, and the mothers with the opportunity to work without worry. It was more than a practical solution. It was a social statement that the children of working women also deserved care and a good upbringing.

But it did not stop there. Children grow older and with the same warmth she started a housewife school and a youth center, places where the elderly could grow, learn and feel confident. Women were taught about economics, cooking, childcare, housekeeping and most importantly, their rights.
She was convinced that education gave strength and independence.

Freja saw needs - and acted. She created opportunities where others saw obstacles. For Freja, nothing was impossible.

Together with Axel, she ran Holma-Helsinglands with a view of justice that still feels modern today. Under their leadership, the principle of equal pay for equal work was introduced. An unusual and courageous stance in a time when gender often determined both place and pay.
Freja fought not only for the visible structures, but for people's value in the small things. In the everyday. The things that make a real difference. As it still does today.

Freja had not only a warm heart, but also a keen sense of justice.

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A legacy that lived on

Freja Leman passed away in 1949, but her commitment lived on. She and Axel founded a donation fund - the Freja and Axel Leman Donation Fund - which continued to provide social support and access to good housing. Through the fund, their values of helping people in need continued.

In Sörforsa, traces of Freja's work remain to this day. Not in the form of large monuments, but in the kindergarten that became a role model for others, in people's memories, and in the warmth that still rests over the village.

Freja Leman worked quietly, but her deeds still speak loudly today. She proved that social change does not always require big words. Sometimes it's enough to see a need and have the courage to do something about it. With thoughtfulness as her compass, Freja became one of Hälsingland's most important women!

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