Marita Petersen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marita Petersen
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| Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands | |
| In office 18 January 1993 – 15 September 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Atli Pætursson Dam |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Joensen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 October 1940 Vágur, Suðuroy, British-occupied Faroe Islands |
| Died | 26 August 2001 (aged 60) Tórshavn, Faroe Islands |
| Political party | Føroya Javnaðarflokkurin |
| Spouse | Kári Petersen |
| Profession | Teacher |
Marita Petersen (born October 21, 1940 – died August 26, 2001) was a very important leader in the Faroe Islands. She was the first and only woman to be the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. She was also the first woman to be the Speaker of the Løgting, which is the Faroese Parliament.
Marita Petersen was chosen to join the Løgting in 1988. She was a member of the Social Democratic Party. In January 1993, she became the Prime Minister. She held this important job until September 1994. After that, she was the Speaker of the Parliament from 1994 to 1995. She led the Faroe Islands during a tough time when the country faced economic problems. Marita Petersen passed away from cancer in 2001.
Marita Petersen's Career
Her Early Life and Education
Marita Petersen was born in a town called Vágur. She studied in Denmark at a place called Hellerup seminarium. In 1964, she finished her training and became a teacher.
She worked as a teacher in different cities. From 1964 to 1967, she taught in Copenhagen and Esbjerg. Then, from 1967 to 1989, she taught at a public school in Tórshavn. After teaching, she led the teaching department of Landsskúlafyrisitingin from 1989 to 1994. Later, she led a special education advisory service. From 1998 until she died, she managed a school for children with learning disabilities called Sernámsdepilin.
Her Political Journey
Marita Petersen had a strong political career. She held several key positions in the Faroese government.
- 1988-1998: She was a member of the Løgting, the Faroese Parliament. She served for many years, except when she was a minister or the Prime Minister.
- 1991-1993: She served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs. In this role, she helped manage cultural activities and policies for the Faroe Islands.
- 1993-1994: She became the Prime Minister (also called løgmaður). She was the first and only woman to hold this top leadership position in the Faroe Islands.
- 1994-1995: After being Prime Minister, she became the Speaker of the Løgting. This meant she was in charge of leading the Parliament's meetings.
- 1994-1996: She was also the leader of the Social Democratic Party.
