Kvennaskólinn – Founded in 1874 to Give Women Access to Education
The Reykjavík Women’s School (Kvennaskólinn í Reykjavík) has a long and distinguished history rooted in the fight for women’s education. Founded in 1874 by Þóra Melsteð and her husband Páll Melsteð, the school was established to provide young women with both academic and practical training — a revolutionary idea at a time when educational opportunities for women were scarce.
As one of Iceland’s oldest schools, it served exclusively female students for its first hundred years. Today, it has evolved into a modern upper secondary school open to all students, regardless of gender.
One of its most notable principals, Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason, made history as the first woman ever elected to the Icelandic Parliament (Alþingi). Her leadership and advocacy embodied the school’s founding vision — empowering women through knowledge, confidence, and opportunity.