Ulla Lindstrom

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Overview

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Ulla Lindström (née Wollin) born Kungsholm Parish, Stockholm, Sweden September 15, 1909 (d. 1999). Swedish politician, school teacher, editor, and feminist. Successfully opposed acquiring nuclear weapons, 1955; Delegate to UN General Assembly, 1947-66, drafting Human Rights Declaration, anti-Apartheid; directed foreign aid “Sweden Helps”, 1953. Chair of Save the Children, 1971-89. Social Democrat only woman in cabinet, Minister of Family and Aid, 1954-66, resigned over foreign aid cut. As first minister for foreign aid, pioneered international family planning and technical assistance; nominated WILPF.

Quotations

“Public opinion. . . is impatient with those paltry collection boxes at meetings about Congo refugees, lepers in Ethiopia and what-have-you. Why, it wonders, doesn’t the government give substantial aid, enough to really help? . . . The government has been sowing the wind. I have been sowing the wind. Soon we shall reap the storm.” (1960, in Tor Sellström, Sweden and National Liberation, p. 66; photo discogs)