Berta Persson (née Pettersson) (11 August 1893 - 9 December 1961) was the first woman bus driver in Sweden. She was nicknamed Buss-Berta and drove the Kappelshamn-Visby bus route between 1927 and 1934.[1]
Berta Persson | |
|---|---|
Berta Persson, aka "Buss-Berta" with her first bus, a 14 seater Chevrolet. | |
| Born | 11 August 1893 Hörsne-Bara |
| Died | 9 December 1961 Bunge |
Early life and marriage
editBerta Albertina Pettersson was born on 11 August 1893 in Hallgård, Hörsne-Bara on the island of Gotland, the eldest of five children born to Anna Katarina Amanda (née Fohlin) and Petter Albert Pettersson, also known as Myrman.[1] Her father was a carpenter. Persson worked as a maid on a farm from the age of 14, where she later married her employer's son, Wilhelm when she was 19.[1][2] The couple bought a sawmill and moved in above the business. During this period, Berta gave birth to seven children, six of whom survived.[3]
Bus driving career
editWhen the Kappelshamn to Visby bus line came up for sale in 1925 the couple bought it. The sale included lorry and taxi services, and the Perssons decided to start a haulage business. They sold their farm to raise the capital needed and settled with their children in a two-room apartment with a kitchen in Kappelshamn. Wilhelm proved to not be skilled in running a business and Berta stepped in to organise it.[1]
The Perssons decided that Berta would be the one to drive the bus. Both she and Wilhelm earned their basic driving licences in 1925, but when Berta tried to get a bus driving licence, she met with resistance from the inspector. He failed her twice because she was a woman. The third time she took the test, Persson ensured that she had several male bus drivers with her as passengers. With expert witnesses on board, coupled with Persson's skill at driving a bus, the inspector had to approve her licence.[1][3][4]
Berta Persson became the first woman to drive a scheduled bus in Sweden. In 1927, she started driving the Kappelshamn - Visby route in a Chevrolet bus which could accommodate 14 passenger. The speed limit was 20 kilometres per hour, until 1931, when it was raised to 30 kilometres per hour and Persson invested in a Volvo bus instead. On Gotland, Persson became known by the nickname ‘Buss-Berta’.[1][3] During the seven years of driving the route, Persson also bore her eighth child. A neighbour supported her with childcare.[1]
Later life
editIn 1934, Gotland railway took over the bus service and Persson retired from bus driving. The Perssons and their seven children then rented a villa, where Berta started a guest house, became known for her cooking, and was often hired to cater weddings and other large celebrations.[1]
In 1948 the Perssons moved to Bunge, where Berta was involved in the Swedish Women's Association for the Defence of the Fatherland (known as the Lottakårer). She was a member of the Red Cross and was on the board of Fårösunds Husmodersförening (a countrywomen's institute) for a number of years.[1]
Berta Persson died on 9 December 1961, age 68.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bergvall, Camilla. "Berta Albertina Persson". Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Bjöhle, Christer (2017-03-27). "Buss-Berta en pionjär bakom ratten". Horisont magasin (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ a b c "Berta Persson - Buss-Berta". www.kvinnofronten.nu. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Melin, Annika (2010-07-27). "Buss-Berta var Sveriges första kvinnliga busschaufför". www.helagotland.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-11-10.