Ulla Lindström

Ulla Lindström was the daughter of the right wing Nils Wohlin, Minister of Trade 1923–24 and Minister of Finance in 1928–29, and the piano teacher Gunilla Wohlin. Her parents divorced when she was ten, and she grew up with her mother. She graduated as a teacher in 1933, and worked as the editor of the papers Sveriges folkskollärarinnors tidning in 1934–46, and Vår bostad in 1937–1946. She became a social democrat as a student, and was the chairperson of the social democratic women's club Allmänna kvinnoklubben in Stockholm 1935–1945 and an elected member of the Stockholm city council in 1942–1945. She was a member of parliament in 1946–1970 and a consultant in the Trade department 1947–1954. Lindström was a delegat of the United Nations General Assembly in 1947–1966, and chairperson of Rädda Barnen 1971–1989.

Ulla Lindström served as Minister of Family, Consumption, Aid and Immigration from 1954 to 1966. Her appointment was encouraged by the Social Democratic Women, who demanded female representation on all levels, a demand which Tage Erlander wished to fulfill. During her tenure, she was the only woman in the government, and unusual as a female minister not only in Sweden but also internationally. Her appointment was very popular among women, and she continued being popular among women during her tenure. Personally, she believed that she was not the only woman who deserved a place in the government, and she was disappointed that she continued to be the only one of her gender in the government during her tenure, despite the fact that she repeatedly suggested that Inga Thorsson deserved to receive a ministerial post.

Lindström was controversial and caused great attention in the media when she refused to curtsey to Queen Elizabeth II in 1956: this was reported in international press, and regarded as an insult by royalists, and as a demonstration of equality in the eyes of others. In 1958, she served as acting Prime minister of Sweden during the summer break of the Prime Minister, becoming the first person of her gender to serve in that function. She resigned under protest in 1966 when the government did not fulfil their promise of an increased aid.

• Mikael Sjögren (Swedish) : Statsrådet och genusordningen – Ulla Lindström 1954–1966 (Minister and Gender – Ulla – Ulla Lindström 1954–1966)

• http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/womeninpower/Womeninpower1940.htm

• Ulla Lindström at Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon