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Kerttu SaalastiFinnish female politician, agronomist
Date of Birth: 21.09.1907
Country:  Finland |
Content:
Kerttu Saalasti: A Pioneer in Finnish Politics
Early Life and EducationBorn on September 21, 1907, in Nivala, Finland, Kerttu Saalasti was the daughter of President Kyösti Kallio and Katariina (Kaisa) Nivala. She was one of six siblings, including her sister Vieno, a Master of Arts; her brother Veikko Kalis, a farmer; her brother Niilo Kalervo, a sculptor; her sister Kaino-Antoona Pihlajamaa, a homemaker; and her sister Katri Inkeri Kaarlonen, a gardening teacher and Member of Parliament.
In 1927, Saalasti graduated from school in Oulu. In 1936, she received her degree in agronomy.
Political Career
Saalasti joined the Peasant Union Party (later renamed the Centre Party) in 1965. She served as the party's Deputy Chairperson from 1966 to 1970.
She was elected as a Member of Parliament (Eduskunta) from the Oulu constituency on July 22, 1948. She served until February 19, 1962, and again from April 5, 1966, to March 22, 1970.
Saalasti held two ministerial posts. She served as Minister of Education in Urho Kekkonen's Fifth Cabinet from October 20, 1954, to March 2, 1956, and in Vieno Johannes Sukselainen's First Cabinet from April 27 to November 29, 1957.
Other Contributions
Beyond her political career, Saalasti was involved in various organizations. She was elected to the Nivala Municipal Council in 1937, becoming the only woman on the council. In 1959-1961 and 1966-1970, she was a member of the Nordic Council.
Saalasti received an honorary doctorate in medicine and surgery from the University of Oulu in 1972.
Legacy
Kerttu Saalasti passed away on January 31, 1995, in Nivala. In her memory, the Kerttu Saalasti Fund was established on May 29, 2000.
