Early political career

Östlund became active in the Social Democratic labour movement early on. She was a member of the Stockholms allmänna kvinnoklubb ('Stockholm Women's Public Club') from 1903, served as chairman in 1904–05; member of the Socialdemokratiska kvinnokongressen (Social Democratic Women's Congress) in 1908–1920; board member of the Social Democratic Women in Sweden in 1920–1936, and a board member of the Poor Help Board of the Matteus Parish in Stockholm in 1916–1932.^[1]

In 1902, the Social Democratic Women, through the Stockholms allmänna kvinnoklubb, decided the cooperate with the Swedish Suffrage movement. Östlund was active in the struggle for women suffrage, and made many nationwide journeys to speak in its favour.

Parliamentary career

In 1921, Agda Östlund became one of the five first women to be elected to the Swedish Parliament after women suffrage alongside Nelly Thüring (Social Democrat), Bertha Wellin (Conservative) and Elisabeth Tamm (liberal) in the Lower chamber, and Kerstin Hesselgren in the Upper chamber. Östlund remained in the Parliament until 1940.

In parliament, Agda Östlund became the first woman MP to speak in the Swedish Second Chamber. She opened her speech by saying: “Äntligen stod kvinnan i talarstolen” ['Finally, the woman stood in the speaker’s chair'], rewording a phrase from the Saga of Gösta Berling: “Äntligen stod prästen i predikstolen” ['Finally the preacher stood in the preacher’s chair'].

She was also the first of her gender to be appointed member of the Parliament's Legislative Committee as a representative of her party. Östlund engaged in the question of spousal abuse, women's pension and medical care for women and children. She also raised the question of abortion, during which several MPs left the room in protest.

Agda Östlund was regarded as a representative and role model for many working-class women. Asked where she was given the courage to involve in politics, she answered: "When you truly want something, you are given courage".^[2]