GRETHE FRYDENLUND AWARD
A TRIBUTE TO
Vicky Alme
When I called Vicky to prepare for this tribute, she was overwhelmed that she had been awarded the Grethe Frydenlund Award. She genuinely felt that there must be others who deserved it more. This is typical of her modesty.
Vicky grew up in an ordinary working-class family in the UK. It was very different then. There were strong influences, such as class differences, which governed what one could expect out of life. In fact, they developed into quite an international family, supported by events and choices to travel and work abroad. This applied to both her husband Odd and Vicky, during the formative years after leaving school.
After finishing A-levels at the local grammar school, she made up her mind to work as an au pair for a year in France – despite her mother’s very strong wishes to the contrary. Returning to England, she began studying Pharmacy at Glasgow University, but the programme was moved to Strathclyde University, also in Glascow, and this is where she met Odd, her future husband, who was one of around two hundred Norwegian students there at that time.
At the end of his studies, she accompanied Odd back to Norway and started a family there. However, Odd was keen that Vicky should gain a professional qualification, so she returned to Scotland to finish her third year. She was not alone. During her last year, she had the twin boys with her, and another baby was born in spring. She then went back to Oslo with the children. After Easter she returned to Glascow with the twins. Odd stayed in Oslo with the 4-week-old baby til the end of her semester. She had a Norwegian au-pair with her the whole last year.
Vicky and granddaughter Anne Ingeborg. Vicky wearing a Marken bunad from Sunnmøre.
At that time, it was quite rare for a pregnant woman to study at university. However, with Odd’s help in taking care of the children and supporting her, she completed her studies most satisfactorily. Vicky was then able to pursue a career as a Pharmacist in Norway. In 1987-88, she also gained a master’s degree in business studies.
It was whilst working in Drammen in the 1990s, that Vicky first heard of International Forum through two other members of a Sewing Bee. When retirement brought with it a move to Oslo, she didn’t hesitate to join and very soon became a member of the Monthly Meeting Committee. Shortly thereafter, Inger Malterud requested help in the Office and Vicky offered her services.
In those days, IF had a staffed office, and Vicky became a member of the Office team, coming in at least once a week. If members needed help or information, they would call Vicky. She also handled the membership lists, keeping them always up to date. A big job every autumn was the renewal of membership, involving the distribution of membership cards, following up late payers and so on. This was before the digital world was as developed as it is today.
Now Inger Malterud wasn’t slow – to put it mildly. She realised what a resourceful person Vicky was, and before long had asked if Vicky would become the organisation’s new Treasurer. Despite having no experience in this field, Vicky took it on. Auditor Karin Skoglund prepared the Financial Report, but Vicky presented it to the members and answered questions. She herself gives all the praise to Karin, whom she says taught her everything about what the work of a treasurer involves. ‘Karin was fantastic,’ she says. This may be true; however, it was thanks to Vicky’s willingness to learn, her dedication to the job in hand, her flexibility and her accuracy that resulted in her success as Treasurer. There was never a penny misplaced or missing. Any queries from members were answered fully and satisfactorily. International Forum did not function with a budget back in those days, but the annual Financial Report explained how the money had been used.
All in all, she was an invaluable resource towards the successful running of the International Forum for many years. To quote our Honorary Member and former President, Berit Lindstrøm: ‘I had the pleasure of working with Vicky for four years and I knew I could always rely on her. It’s a while since she was at the Office, but ladies like Vicky are the reason that we still exist as an organisation.’
For her part, Vicky found it fascinating to get to know the different Presidents, each with their own particular style of running the organisation. She also enjoyed meeting members from all over the world and from a section of society that she wouldn’t normally have come into contact with. She sees it as an important part of education to know something about how other people live and to learn about their particular culture. This has given her a new perspective, which she wouldn’t have had otherwise.
On a personal level, Vicky is never afraid of asking questions and is always ready to give her honest opinion, even if this means swimming upstream.
At Monthly Meetings in particular, Vicky is one of the members who can be relied upon to have an interesting question or comment.
Vicky and Kumiko Larssen at Vinderen
Throughout her time as a member, she has been committed to IF’s welfare and well-being, a commitment that continues even though she no longer holds an ‘office’.
Vicky Alme is indeed a worthy recipient of the Grethe Frydenlund Award.
Patricia Blackwell