Sigurdsen, Gertrud (1923—)

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Sigurdsen, Gertrud (1923—)

Swedish politician. Born on January 11, 1923 (one source cites 1928), in Nävekvarn, Sweden; children: two sons.

Gertrude Sigurdsen began her 40-year career in Swedish politics in 1949, as Secretary for the Confederation of Trade Unions—a position she held for 15 years before becoming Information Secretary of the Information Division in 1964. Five years later, in 1969, she was elected as a Social Democrat to Parliament, where she served as Minister for Internal Development Assistance from 1973 to 1976 and was a member of the Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs until 1982. Focusing attention on public health issues, she became Minister for Public Health and Medical Services in 1982, and served as Minister for Health and Social Affairs from 1985 until her retirement in 1989.

Howard Gofstein , freelance writer, Detroit, Michigan