Irja Ketonen

Irja Ketonen ( Blomqvist; 20 June 1921 – 17 November 1988) was a Finnish media executive, whose life and career has been described as 'the Cinderella story of the Finnish media sector'. She was the first woman to be granted Finland's highest civilian honorary title of Vuorineuvos.

Early life Irja Blomqvist was born to a working-class family. She began work at the age of 13, as a gofer in the Turun Sanomat newspaper offices, The managing director and editor-in-chief, Arvo Ketonen, saw potential in her, and among other things trusted her with the management of the newspaper's picture archive. Under Irja Ketonen’s management, Turun Sanomat expanded into a broader media group and developed into a significant business enterprise within the industry.

In 1980, she was granted by President Urho Kekkonen the honorary Finnish title of Vuorineuvos, as the first woman to receive the honour.