Martha organisation

A Martha organisation booth selling hot waffles, photographed in 2009.

The Martha organisation (Finnish: Marttaliitto, Swedish: Martharörelsen), previously named Sivistystä kodeille ("Civilisation for homes") is a Finnish organisation, founded by Lucina Hagman in 1899. The organisation defines its activities as follows: "The Martha organisation is a citizens' organisation providing advice in home economics, with the aim of furthering welfare in homes and families, and providing diverse activities and possibilities of influencing the community to its members."

The organisation has a three-tier structure. The lowest tier consists of local Martha communities and clubs, which the members belong to. These communities belong to regional Martha suborganisations. The Martha organisation itself is the state-wide central organisation. The members of the Martha organisation, called Martta, number about 50 thousand. The Martha communities now also accept male members.^[1][2] They are called Martti or Matti.^[1][3]

Whereas the organisation's activity was previously focused mainly on the countryside, the organisation has lately sought to expand to cities. University students have also formed Martha communities. Men have founded Martti clubs.

The organisation publishes a magazine called Martat. The magazine was formerly named Emäntälehti Martat.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Vilenius, Esa: Willit Martat ottivat itselleen laatuaikaa lumikenkäretkellä, Etelä-Saimaa, 9 March 2004. Accessed 16 September 2009.
2. ^ Ignatius, Heikki: Joensuun torin Marttakahvio täyttää 30 vuotta, Karjalan Maa, 23 July 2004. Accessed 16 September 2009.
3. ^ Historiikki 2008, Pyhämaan Martat. Accessed 16 September 2009.

External links

• Official site