Marjatta Väänänen

Marjatta Väänänen (9 August 1923 Väänänen's father Urho Kittilä was a journalist, and she had younger siblings. At the time of her death, she had been the oldest living former minister of Finnish Government.

Career In the 1950s, Väänänen worked as a news reporter for the Swedish Agricultural Association. At the 1975 Finnish parliamentary election, Väänänen was elected as a representative for Uusimaa. Whilst Education Minister, Väänänen implemented the rollout of the Pirkkala handout, an experiment in standardised teaching materials.

In 1982, Väänänen became the Minister of Social Affairs and Health in Kalevi Sorsa's cabinet. Whilst in the role, Väänänen supported child benefit payments, anti-alcohol policies, She was nicknamed Viikate-Väänänen (Scythe Väänänen).

Aside from politics, Väänänen was a board member of Yle from 1967 to 1991. She also wrote a column for Maaseudun Tulevaisuudessa (The Rural Future) once a week for 35 years, under the pseudonym Heikintytär. In 1994, she was awarded the title of ministerin, the first woman to be bestowed the title.