Pakkis

Pakkis refers to a group of Finnish women who engaged in a form of organized social activism and mutual support. Emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pakkis were often associated with the temperance movement and women's suffrage campaigns. The term itself, "pakkis," is a colloquialism that can be loosely translated as "bundlers" or "groupers," reflecting their collaborative approach.

These women typically gathered for meetings, often in private homes or community centers, to discuss social issues, organize events, and provide assistance to one another. Their activities could include lobbying for legislative changes, raising funds for charitable causes, and offering support to those facing difficult circumstances, such as poverty or domestic abuse. The pakkis movement was a significant, albeit often localized, expression of women's growing desire for public engagement and influence during a period of societal transformation. While not a formally recognized organization with a unified national structure, the spirit of the pakkis was present in various communities across Finland, contributing to broader social and political progress.