Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
The Republic of Estonia/Eesti Vabariik
(Female suffrage 1918) A former province in the Russian Empire, Independence
declared 24.2.1918, Soviet occupation 17.6.1940, Republic of
Estonia 8.5.1990 and independence declared 20.8.1991
Thanks to Erki Holmberg for additional
information and corrections
See
also Estonia Parliament
1944-47 Minister of Social Security Olga
Lauristin
1947-51 Minister of Cinematography
First Deputy Speaker of the Supreme Soviet 1940-1947. Her
daughter, Marju
Lauristin, was Minister of Social Affairs 1992-94. Lived
(1903-2005).
1958-64 Minister of Social Security Erna Visk
Deputy Chairperson of the Presidium of the Estonian Supreme Soviet 1955-1959. She lived (1910-83).
1967-69 Minister of Public Service Meta Jangolenko Vannas
1978 Acting Chairperson of the Presidium of the Supreme Council (25.5.-26.7)
Non-permanent Deputy Chairperson 1969-75 and Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of
the Estonian S.S.R.
1975-85.
She lived (1924-2002).
1971-90 Minister-in-exile without Portfolio
Renate Kaasik
She lived (1906-93).
1985-88 Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Marina Anslan
(b. 1939-).
1980-88 Minister of Education Elsa Gretškina
(b. 1932-).
1990-92
Minister of Social Affairs Siiri Oviir
1995 Minister of Social Affairs
2001-03 Minister of Social Affairs
She worked
by the High Court
1975-90,
Deputy Chairperson of Estonian Center Party (Eesti
Keskerakond
1995-1999, Presidential Candidate in
1996,
Chairperson of the Party Faction in the Riigikogu
1996-99
and Vice-President of the Riigikogu
(Assembly)
1999-2001.
Member of the
European Parliament from 2004.
(b. 1947-).
1990-92
Deputy Secretary of State Krista Kilvet
(b. 1946-).
1992-93
Minister of the Interior Lagle Parek (Second in cabinet)
Political Prisoner
1983-86, under House Arrest
1986-89, Leader of
the National Independence Party (ERSP)
1988-93
and Presidential Candidate in 1992.
1992-94
Minister of Social Affairs
Dr. Marju Lauristin
A former Radio Journalist
and researcher of Sociology and teacher of Journalism. She was chairperson
of the Estonian Social Democratic Independence Party 1990, Chairperson of
the Estonian Social Democratic Party 1990-1994, Vice-President of
the Supreme Council (Parliament)
1990-92, Chairperson of the Faction of Mõõdukad in the
Riigikogu 1999-2003,
Professor of
1992-95
Minister without Portfolio for Reforms Dr. Liia Hänni
1994-95 Minister of Reforms
Chairperson of Peasants Party
1989-95, 1991 Chairperson of the Municipal
Council of Tartu, 1991-92 Vice-President of the Parliament, since 1995
Chairperson of Moderates’ Women’s Assembly. (b. 1946-)
1992
Minister without Portfolio for Ethnic Relations Klara Hallik
In office from April to October. (b. 1933-).
1995
Minister of Economy Liina Tõnisson
2002 Minister of Economy and of Transport and Communication
2002-03 Minister of Economy and Communication
Vice-Factionchair of Eesti Keskerakonna (Center Party)
1996-97
Minister without Portfolio for European Affairs Andra Veideman
1997-99 Minister without Portfolio for Ethnic Relations
Chairperson of Progressive Party (Arengupartei) 1996-99.
(b. 1955-)
1996-99
Minister of Social Affairs Tiiu Aro
(b. 1950-)
1999-2002
Minister of Culture Signe Kivi
Professor of the Estonian Academy of Arts, 1998-99 Chairperson of the
Association of Artists
and since 2005
Rector of the Estonian
Academy of Arts, mother of five children. (b. 1957-)
1999-2002
Minister without Portfolio for Ethnic Relations Katrin Saks
(b. 1956-).
1999-2003
Secretary of State and Head of The State Chancellery Aino Lepik von Wirén
She is born and educated in Sweden, 1990-92 Minister-in-exile of Justice
until she began working for the Estonian government in 1993. Her Estonian title
was Riigisekretär.
Ambassador to Portugal from 2004.
(b. 1961-)
2002-05
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland
In
the years
1992-94
she was Ambassador and Representative
of the Republic of Estonia to the Council of Europe, 1996-2002 Vice-President
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and 1999-2002 President
of the LDR Group. Also Vice-President of the European Liberal Democratic
Reform Party, Parliament Vice-President from 2007. (b. 1966-).
2002 Minister of Education Mailis Reps
2003-07
Minister of Education and Science
When Malis Rand married in 2003 she
changed her name to Reps. (b. 1975-).
2004-07 Minister of Agriculture Ester Tuiksoo
(b. 1965-)
2007- Minister of Culture Laine Jänes
Mayor of Tartu 1094-2007. (b. 1964-).
2007- Minister of Social Affairs Maret Maripuu
MP since 1999,
Chairperson of
the Tallinn City
Council 2001-03 and
2003-07 Chairperson of the
Estonian Reform Party Faction. (b. 1974-)
2007- Minister of Population Affairs Urve Palo
Last update 11.09.07