If you’re wondering why there are flags flying today, it’s to celebrate the life and work of Miina Sillanpää, Finland’s first female government minister.
October 1st was made a flag day back in 2016 on the 150th anniversary of her birthday.
Born in the 1860s she worked during her early life in factories, before becoming a maid and then the head of the Servants’ Association.
Sillanpää was a social campaigner for workers and women’s rights, and became one of the first members of Finland’s parliament in 1907.
In total she would spend 38 years as an elected MP, and became the Minister for Social Affairs, and continued to be active in the Social Democrat political party and edit magazines for workers as well.
Sillanpää is remembered as a trailblazer for female politicians, social mobility and workers’ rights.
