She was also a co-founder and board member of the Norwegian Women's Public Health Association.

She was born in Eidsvoll as a daughter of physician Nils Windfeldt Thoresen (1822–1907) and Marie Johanne Benneche (1827–99).

She was the sister-in-law of teacher, politician and fellow women's rights activist Gina Krog.

A letter from her father to the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Church Affairs to allow her to field as an exam candidate was met with a refusal.

When the statement from the university was negative, she contacted member of the Parliament of Norway Hagbard Emanuel Berner, who proposed a private Act amendment, which passed in 1882.