14. A Nordic Laundry: The Magdalena Asylum in Stockholm
The Magdalena Asylum in Stockholm was founded by a philanthropist in 1852 to reform prostitutes and “fallen women.” Within 50 years, there were eight magdalenahems in Sweden operated by the Salvation Army. When women entered into the home or were placed there, they were required to learn and follow religious teachings. For several months or years, instructors taught the women how to become domestic workers. It was the goal of the homes to place reformed women into private homes of religious and upstanding citizens to work as maids, cooks, and servants.
When a woman failed at her initial domestic placement they were sent to factories to work. Only as a last resort were the reformed women sent to work in hotels, restaurants, or taverns. Supporters of the institutions believed that these avenues of employment, no matter how legitimate, were too tempting for former prostitutes. AS the women went through their domestic and religious training, they labored in the commercial laundry. During the early years, the women were compensated for their labor. Compensation was removed when supporters of the laundries believed that the women would adhere to their rehabilitation and religious teachings if they were not paid.