Who was Finland’s first female minister?

Satunnainen

Finland’s first female minister was Miina Sillanpää. He was a prominent Finnish politician and social influencer who had a long career in parliament and served in many different positions. Miina Sillanpää was born on June 4, 1866 in Jokioiin and died on April 3, 1952 in Helsinki.

Miina Sillanpää’s background and career

Miina Sillanpää was born into a poor family and had to start working at a young age. She worked, among other things, as a maid and a factory worker before she was able to study. Sillanpää was active in the labor movement and joined the Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP). He was elected to parliament for the first time in 1907, when Finland received universal and equal suffrage.

Ministerial career

Miina Sillanpää was appointed as Finland’s first female minister in 1926. At that time, she served as Minister of Social Affairs in Väinö Tanner’s second government. His ministerial term lasted from December 13, 1926 to December 17, 1927. Sillanpää focused especially on social policy and improving the status of women in society.

Significant achievements

  • Women’s and children’s rights: Miina Sillanpää did significant work to improve women’s and children’s rights. Among other things, he pushed for the adoption of maternity and child protection laws.
  • Töväenliike: Sillanpää was active in the labor movement and influenced the activities of many labor organizations. She was also founding Finland’s first women’s trade association.
  • Housing policy: Sillanpää was involved in developing a housing policy that especially improved the living conditions of low-income families.

Heritage and memory

Miina Sillanpää’s legacy lives on strong in Finnish society. Her work for women’s and children’s rights has left a lasting mark. The Miina Sillanpää Foundation has been established in honor of Sillanpää, which continues her life’s work to promote social justice.

You can read more about Miina Sillanpää and her life, for example, on Wikipedia or From the website of the Miina Sillanpää Foundation.

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