Miina Sillanpää facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miina Sillanpää
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| Deputy Minister of Social Affairs | |
| In office 13 December 1926 – 17 December 1927 |
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| President | Lauri Kristian Relander |
| Prime Minister | Väinö Tanner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Vilhelmiina Riktig
4 June 1866 Jokioinen, Finland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 3 April 1952 (aged 85) Helsinki, Finland |
| Resting place | Near from Jokioinen Church, Jokioinen |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party (1918–1919, 1933–1940) |
Miina Sillanpää (born Vilhelmiina Riktig, 4 June 1866 – 3 April 1952) was an important Finnish politician. She made history as Finland's first female minister. She served as the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs from 1926 to 1927.
Miina Sillanpää was also a key leader in the workers' movement. This movement worked to improve the lives of working people. In 2016, Finland honored her by making October 1st an official flag-flying day.
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Early Life and Work
Miina Sillanpää was born in Jokioinen, Finland, in 1866. This was a time of great hunger in Finland. Her parents, Juho and Leena Riktig, were farmers and had nine children.
Miina started working at just twelve years old. She first worked in a cotton factory in Forssa. Later, she worked in a nail factory in Jokioinen.
When she was 18, she moved to Porvoo to work as a maid. At this time, she changed her name to Miina Sillanpää. In 1898, she helped start the Servants' Association. Three years later, she became its director. She led this group for about 50 years.
From 1900 to 1915, she managed a home and job agency for household workers in Helsinki. This agency helped people find work and safe places to live.
A Pioneer in Politics
In 1906, Finland became the first country in Europe to let all women vote. It was also the first country in the world to let women run for political office. This was a huge step for women's rights.
In 1907, Miina Sillanpää was elected to the Finnish Parliament. She was one of the first 19 women in the world to become a member of parliament. She served a total of 38 years in parliament.
Miina Sillanpää did not have much formal schooling. She learned from traveling teachers and at a factory school.
Working for Social Change
Miina Sillanpää was a Social Democrat. This means she believed in fairness and helping all people, especially those who were struggling. She was not a political thinker who wrote many theories. Instead, she was very active in helping people directly.
She worked hard to improve the rights of working women and single mothers. In the 1930s, she helped create many women's shelters. These shelters provided safe homes for women and children in need.
Miina Sillanpää was part of the Social Democratic Party's leadership. She also led the Social Democratic Women's Association.
During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, Miina Sillanpää did not take sides. She wanted peace and urged everyone to stop fighting.
Finland's First Female Minister
In 1926, Miina Sillanpää became the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs. This made her Finland's very first female minister. It was a historic moment for women in government.
She also helped choose the President of Finland several times. She was an official elector in 1925, 1931, 1937, 1940, and 1943.
Journalism and Recognition
Miina Sillanpää also worked as a journalist. She was an editor for several magazines. These included Palvelijatar (meaning "female servant") from 1905 to 1906. She also worked for Työläisnainen ("working woman") from 1907 to 1916. Later, she edited Toveritar ("female comrade") from 1922 to 1943.
In 1939, she received an honorary title called talousneuvos. In 1949, she was given an award for her life's work. The President of Finland, Juho Kusti Paasikivi, presented her with this award.
Legacy
Miina Sillanpää passed away in Helsinki in 1952, at the age of 85. Her work helped many people and opened doors for women in politics. In 2016, the Finnish government honored her by making October 1st a special flag-flying day. This day celebrates her important contributions to Finland.
