Irma Toivanen

Irma Hellin Toivanen ( Taavitsainen; 27 October 1922 – 30 July 2010) was a Finnish politician and teacher. She was a member of the Parliament of Finland from 1970 to 1979, representing Turku Province South as a member of the Liberal People's Party. From 1975 to 1976, she was Finland's Minister of Social Affairs and Health, appointed by then-Prime Minister Martti Miettunen.

Early life and career Irma Hellin Taavitsainen was born on 27 October 1922 in Kymi, Finland. She was the daughter of Johan Taavitsainen, a glassblower, and Hilda-Maria Kuuva. She worked as a volunteer medic during the Winter War and Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union, and she was active in Lotta Svärd, a Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women. Taavitsainen qualified as a primary school teacher in 1942, and continued with postgraduate studies. She worked as a teacher at various primary and secondary schools in Sääksmäki, Hämeenlinna, and Kaarina, from 1942 to 1970.

Toivanen was one of the few who opposed the extension of President Urho Kekkonen's term of office by way of derogation from the beginning of March 1974 and voted against the law in January 1973 with her party colleague Olavi Borg; however, other members voted in favor of the law. From November 1975 to May 1977, Toivanen was the Minister of Social Affairs and Health in the second and third cabinets of Prime Minister Martti Miettunen.

After she retired from Parliament in 1979, Toivanen chaired the woman's branch of the Liberal People's Party. She received the Cross of Liberty, 2nd Class, in 2003 for her work with national defense groups.

Toivanen died on 30 July 2010 at her home in Turku, at the age of 87.