Historian Gry Jexen, known for her book “Woman, Know Your History,” will be awarded the Vallø Prize in 2024. This prestigious award is presented to individuals, organizations, or companies that have made significant efforts to improve the conditions for women. The Vallø Prize was established by Vallø Foundation (Vallø Stift), which has honored individuals with a notable impact on women’s rights and opportunities since 2010. Chamberlain and Chief of the Royal Hunt Christian Castenskjold, curator of Vallø Foundation, praised Jexen for her work in highlighting women’s roles in history.
Gry Jexen expressed great pride in receiving the award. She emphasized the connection between her work and the prize, which recognizes efforts to integrate women into historical narratives. Jexen describes the foundation’s mission as rooted in a long tradition of strong women supporting one another. In addition to her book, Jexen also hosts a podcast and actively manages an Instagram account under the same name, where she brings attention to women’s historical contributions.
During her own historical education, Jexen identified a significant lack of teaching about women’s influence, which inspired her to explore this field more deeply. She considers it crucial for historical storytelling to include women’s experiences and achievements, as this represents half of the population that has often been marginalized in history.
The Vallø Prize also includes a monetary reward of 150,000 Danish kroner (approximately $22,000 USD). The Vallø Foundation was originally established in 1737 by Queen Sophie Magdalene and has since served a charitable purpose. Over the years, it has supported unmarried noblewomen and vulnerable groups in local communities, which Gry Jexen finds particularly interesting. She highlights how the foundation reflects the queen’s exercise of power for the benefit of noble women’s status.
Previous recipients of the Vallø Prize include prominent figures such as television host Sofie Linde and former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.