Elli Saurio
Finnish economist (1899–1966)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elli Saurio (31 December 1899 – 26 December 1966) was a Finnish economist. She was the first professor of household economics in Europe, the first woman in Finland to hold a doctorate in economics, and the first female professor in the University of Helsinki Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.[1][2]
Prof. Elli Ivarintytär Saurio | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 31 December 1899 |
| Died | 26 December 1966 (aged 66) |
| Occupation | Economist |
| Known for | First professor of household economics in Europe, first female doctor of economy in Finland |
| Title | Professor |
| Awards | Order of the Lion of Finland |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Economics |
| Sub-discipline | Household economics |
Biography
Born as Elli Ivarintytär Saurio on 31 December 1899 in Nurmes, North Karelia, Finland, Elli Saurio was the daughter of Josef Ivar Saurio (1869–1910) and Hilja Vilhelmiina Hukka (1876–1910).[1]
In 1925, she started her professional career as a household consultant at the Finnish Marttaliitto.[1] From 1933 to 1944, she also served as executive director of Marttaliitto.[3] She became the first woman in Finland to hold a doctorate in the field of home economics, receiving her degree in 1947 from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Helsinki.[1][4]
She was appointed as a professor of home economics at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki in 1950, and she continued in this job until her death in 1966.[1] Creation of a position of professor in home economics at the University of Helsinki in 1946 is being considered as “the first professorship of its kind in Europe.”[3]
In addition to her academic activities, Saurio acted as the editor-in-chief of the Emäntälehti magazine from 1934 to 1944 and as a member of the editorial staff of the Kotitalous magazine from 1952 to her death. Over her career, she was also a member in various national and Nordic committees and commissions on subjects relating to home economics, as well as a board member in associations such as the Family Federation of Finland.[1]
She was awarded Order of the Lion of Finland in 1959.[1]